By Robin Grant, Special to the Guelph Mercury, Local Page A6
While the federal government is keen to develop 'dirty' energy in the Alberta oilsands, Guelph's green energy plan is a model for cities across the country, say visiting NDP parliamentarians.
On Friday morning, four NDP MPs toured the city as part of the party's national research into green energy innovation across the country.
The members heard Guelph Hydro chief executive officer Barry Chuddy speak about the plan to develop efficient, low-carbon sources of energy to help cut green house gas emissions, as part of the city-wide effort to meet the goals in the city's community energy initiative.
NDP natural resources critic Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminister) said Guelph-based companies lead the way in developing a greener economy. He praised the city's community energy initiative as an important first step in developing a potentially lucrative green economy.
In 2007, city council approved the community energy initiative. The goal is to use less energy in 25 years than the city did when the plan was implemented. The plan will involve consuming less energy per capita than comparable municipalities and producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions per capita than the global average.
"What we see is a municipality that is really looking to move forward on renewable energy, is looking at energy efficiency, and the framework of issues around the green energy transition," Julian said, referring to the community energy initiative. It is "exceedingly important for potential communities across the country."
The NDP critic was quick to point out problems with the federal government regarding sustainable energy.
"The problem is that the federal government just is not showing any leadership at all in green energy," he said. "Canada is internationally a real laggard."
New Democrat MP Jamie Nicholls said energy security should be a priority in Canada.
"Even in terms of jobs and employment, imagine what is happening in Guelph and multiply that by 500 in small cities in Canada," Nicholls said. "It's a job creator that hasn't been explored by the federal government."
Also in attendance were NDP MPs Laurin Liu (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles) and Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt), and corporate manager of the community energy initiative Rob Kerr.
The meeting at Guelph Hydro was followed by site visits to the Eastview Landfill Gas Capture and Generation Facility and the Waste Innovation Resource Centre.
[email protected] ILLUS: NDP MPs (from left) Jamie Nicholls, Peter Julian, Laurin Liu and Claude Gravelle toured Guelph Hydro on Friday as part of an NDP committee's research into sustainable energy. Robin Grant, Mercury staff
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NDP Critic for Canadian Heritage Peter Julian issued the following statement:
"It has come to our attention that a consultant for a federally funded anti-racism project has a disturbing track record of spewing hate speech online against Jewish and francophone communities. This is completely unacceptable. We call on the Minister of Heritage to take drastic action and terminate his contract.
NDP Heritage Critic Peter Julian issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement by Hockey Canada is another attempt to delay the important and urgent work to deal with the toxic culture in this organization. While a former Supreme Court Justice is a credible appointment to conduct the review into Hockey Canada, this won’t be the first time the organization undergoes this process.
NDP critic for Canadian Heritage, Peter Julian, made the following statement:
“Canadians are horrified by the incidents of sexual assault and by what they’re hearing from Hockey Canada. They are left with many questions about how this toxic culture is allowed to persist in our sports organizations and what the government is actually doing to ensure this doesn’t happen again.