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Editorial: Confusing messages on GHGs

Canadian government, provinces are saying one thing and doing another
GHGs
Conflicting messages from governments on a low-carbon future.

The International Energy Agency, of which Canada is a member, is forecasting a future with fewer gas-powered vehicles.

As the cost of electric vehicles comes down and more subsidies make them available to more people and businesses, the argument goes, the switch to a cleaner alternative will be easier and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced.

Similarly, the Canadian government, in its mid-century, long-term, low-greenhouse gas development strategy, is recommending that the nation switch to clean (non-coal fired) electricity from fossil fuels in everything from heating homes to transportation to fully meet goals for reduced GHG emissions by 2050.

Putting aside the obvious health and environmental benefits, we question the feasibility of this fossil fuel-to-electricity strategy given that Canada is reliant on oil and gas production for much of its economy and B.C. is still trying to boost LNG production for export.

And here in B.C., electricity is much more expensive for heating homes than natural gas.

How is this low-GHG strategy to take place if this elephant in the room isn't addressed? Everyone needs to pull together if we are truly going to address climate change.