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Who’s greener, Green party or NDP? We boil it down.

Rating: NNNNN


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.

news@nowtoronto.com

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