Changes would increase government accountability

Progressive Conservatives have three key amendments to Bill 15 that would strengthen the bill that aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Manitoba.

These amendments would set the bar higher than the NDP have, with emission reduction guidelines identified in Bill 15.

“Progressive Conservatives cannot support the bill as it is – it’s window dressing,” said PC environment critic Heather Stefanson. “If  this government was serious about reducing GHGs they wouldn’t leave all the work until after the next election nor would they set themselves a goal to achieve nothing, which is the case with the carbon-neutral decade ‘goal’ in Bill 15.”

The reality is Manitoba could in fact increase emissions and still achieve the NDP’s carbon-neutral decade goal.

“Progressive Conservatives will not support a bill that aims to accomplish nothing,” Stefanson said.

PCs want Bill 15 amended to include:

Annual emission reduction targets (Bill 15 has no specific targets just a ‘carbon-neutral decade’ goal)
Independent annual reporting (not left to the government to self-monitor every four years)
Penalties for not reaching targets (the current bill has no penalties for government if goals aren’t met)
“We have consistently pointed out how watered-down and toothless this government’s so-called ‘green’ policies are and Bill 15 is a glaring example of giving the semblance of action while accomplishing next to nothing,” said Science, technology, energy and mines critic Cliff Cullen. “They may be master illusionists but the NDP aren’t champions of the environment. Our amendments give some substance to their flash.”