NDP Launches “Greener Homes Strategy”

The NDP launched its job-creating Greener Homes Strategy today. This strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the first plank in the NDP’s 5-point Green Agenda for Canada.

“For 12 years, while the Liberals did nothing to stop rising pollution, the Conservatives said they had a better plan. Unfortunately, Canadians are learning that their plan was just hot air,” said NDP Leader Jack Layton (Toronto – Danforth). “This government has no plan to deal with rising pollution in our air and water or to invest in a green economy and their inaction has become an international embarrassment.

“That’s why we’re putting forward a set of realistic proposals to help conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, attract green investment and create jobs.”

The ‘Greener Homes Strategy’ includes the following proposals:

a.Development of an advanced energy efficiency program to help make Canadian homes the most efficient in the world;

b.Amendment of the National Building Code to legislate lower energy use in new homes;

c.Making mandatory, in order to qualify for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Mortgage Insurance Program, proof of compliance with the new National Building Code’s energy efficiency provisions for new homes AND Establishing or enhancing other programs to assist Canadians in retrofitting older homes so as to meet the new energy standards.

d.Requiring that all appliances and lighting sold in Canada meet the Energy Star standards; and

e.Re-instatement of the EnerGuide program abolished by the Conservatives.

“Canadians want and deserve comprehensive solutions to combat climate change,”. “The plan, which we’ll be putting forward over the coming weeks, offers those solutions in a fiscally responsible way that will focus first on energy efficiency, and show the government that there are solutions available right now if they understood the urgency of the problem we face with climate change.”

“Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 42 megatonnes within seven years under this plan,” said NDP Energy Critic Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic). “It would create over 190,000 Canadian jobs and help people save money through lower energy bills.”

“In a speech yesterday, the Environment Minister said that those who are fighting for real action on climate change in this country are driven by ‘self-serving politics’ and ‘self-righteousness,’” said Environment NDP Critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena – Bulkley Valley). “It’s time that this minister stop wasting time attacking the people who care about this issue and start attacking the issue itself.”