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THE LEADERS
NDP: Jack Layton’s company, the Green Catalyst Group, helps organizations implement environmental solutions.
Green: Self-described “ecological conservative” Jim Harris is a management consultant whose corporate clients include ExxonMobil.
Verdict: Jack wins hands down.
CLIMATE CHANGE
NDP: Set firm targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions to 25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.
Green: A 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and expansion of national emissions trading system.
Verdict: Greens‚ lose out for championing of dubious emissions swapping.
POLLUTION
NDP: Introduce Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Polluter Pay And Toxic Pollution Reduction Act so corporations have to pay up for spills, etc.
Green: Tax corporations on resource use and pollution.
Verdict: Green taxes are an interesting idea, though the jury’s out on whether this just lets corporations pay to pollute.
AUTO SECTOR
NDP: * Encourage lower- and zero-emission vehicles, mandatory emission standards, ethanol targets and incentives for purchasing alt-cars.
* Increase gas tax transfer to cities to full 5 cents per litre, for transit.
Green: * Mandatory target of 25 per cent better fuel efficiency over next five years.
* Unspecified incentives to increase ethanol content of gas.
Verdict: Critics say NDP’s union ties make it soft on auto biz, but it has a much more detailed plan on greening the industry.
WATER
NDP: Clean Water Act to establish national standards and protections for drinking water.
Green: Enshrine clean water (as well as air) in Charter Of Rights.
Verdict: A draw.
ENERGY
NDP: * End subsidies to fossil fuel industry, nukes and all non-renewable energy production and consumption.
* National energy retrofit program, new eco building codes, plus new appliances to meet Energy Star standards.
* Financial incentives for solar, wind, water, etc.
Green: * End subsidies to fossil fuel industry, nukes and mining.
* Coordinate with the provinces $1.5 billion investment to build 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2010.
Verdict: The Green party affixes big dollar signs in front of its renewable energy targets, but the NDP squeaks out ahead with its energy saving programs.
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