The green future of Canada
DriverSense - Kevin Fleming
It’s no secret that many nations are becoming 'greener' by the year. What do the specific provinces have in store for the auto industry in Canada?
The automotive industry is no doubt struggling right now. Economic forces have reduced once mighty companies to shells of their former selves. General Motors, Chrysler and, to a degree, Ford have been forced to recognize that the past ways of operating and building autos is no longer relevant in the present world. This is especially true in regard to autos and the environment. The green movement of many automakers is the result of consumer demand and government action. We know about the consumer demand side of the coin, but what about the government related side? Let’s take a look at what the provincial governments have in store for the future when it comes to autos and emissions in terms of CO2.
Alberta
In terms of total CO2 output, Alberta is Canada’s biggest emitter. Even though the province only contains roughly 10 per cent of the entire Canadian population, it puts out roughly 31 per cent of the nation’s CO2. In terms of the auto industry, or rather, the fuel used in autos throughout the province, the government has called for all fuels to contain at least five per cent ethanol by next year. It is currently not known what effect this will have on the reduction of CO2 for the province as a whole, but most likely, many average drivers will not notice much of a difference in the performance and fuel mileage of their autos.
British Columbia
Just like Alberta, the provincial government of British Columbia has called for a five per cent ethanol blend in all fuels. However, British Columbia has taken the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere a bit further in concern to the automotive industry. Depending on where one resides in the province, the U.S. state of California’s auto emissions laws will be implemented on all new autos sold. California has the strictest laws concerning auto emissions in the United States and even though these are new vehicles, this means that periodic testing and monitoring of an auto’s emissions will be required by law.
Manitoba
Manitoba puts out only roughly three per cent of Canada’s total CO2 emissions. However, the province has still decided to institute a plan to reduce this number. As soon as local crop production is able to meet demands, 85 per cent of all gasoline sold in the province must contain a 10 per cent ethanol blend. In theory, this should reduce CO2 emissions by 150 kilotons a year.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick has also decided to implement California vehicle standard laws on all new autos sold by 2012. The provincial government has also introduced a policy of using a five per cent ethanol blend in gasoline and diesel by next year. All told, these efforts should reduce New Brunswick’s total CO2 emissions by 1.2 megatons per year.
Newfoundland
According to my sources, Newfoundland does not have any official plans to date to reduce CO2 emissions.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, like a few other provinces, plans to implement California vehicle emission standards by 2012.
Ontario
Ontario makes up roughly 27 per cent of all CO2 emissions for all of Canada. Ontario plans to reduce CO2 emissions by implementing a five per cent ethanol blend in both gasoline and diesel by 2020. However, Ontario has also chosen to reduce CO2 emissions by investing $17.5 billion (CAN) in rapid public transportation (“MoveOntario”). Two-thirds of the bill will be footed by the province, while the federal government will pick up the remainder of the tab. In theory, rapid transportation and ethanol blending will reduce the provinces’ total CO2 emissions by ten per cent by 2014.
Quebec
Quebec has the most complete CO2 reduction plan of any Canadian province, even though it only puts out 12 per cent of the nation’s total CO2. The first of these initiatives is a carbon tax levied on various types of fuel. The goal is to discourage the purchase of various fuels, but most likely consumers will carry on as usual. The funds garnered through this tax will be put towards other CO2 reduction initiatives. Most important to drivers is the tax levied on gasoline (.8 cents per litre) and diesel (.9 cents per litre). In other measures, the province has called for an eight per cent increase in the use of public transportation.
Furthermore, the government has called for the implementation of California’s auto emissions laws between 2010 and 2016, as well as a 20 per cent increase in fuel efficiency of all new autos by 2012. Finally, all fuels will be required to have a five percent ethanol blend by 2012. All told, these above mentioned initiatives should reduce provincial CO2 reductions by 2.58 megatons per year.
Saskatchewan
Already in force as of 2007, Saskatchewan’s plan for CO2 reduction includes using a 7.5 per cent ethanol blend for all fuels.
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