Liberal leader Stephane Dion is coming to Alberta next week to announce that his green shift plan is targeting oil-rich provinces and they will be hit the hardest - dismisses western alienation:

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion says 40 per cent of Canada's carbon emissions come from Alberta and Saskatchewan and the two western provinces will have to do the most to change their habits under his new green plan. But he said it will be good for them - and he's taking that message to the Calgary Stampede next weekend.

"If we do this plan, Alberta and Saskatchewan will be better off 10 years from now than if we don't do this plan," Mr. Dion said. "Their economies will be more diversified, their universities will be at the centre of something big happening around the world, and investments will grow."

He rejected the notion that the two highest polluting provinces having to contend with a greater carbon tax burden could result in Western alienation.

"To do the right thing will be beneficial for them," Mr. Dion told The Globe and Mail's editorial board. "I care about Alberta and Saskatchewan. I know many people who want to do the right thing. Many will know that it will create jobs there - green jobs." (Globe and Mail)

We will turn you into 'good citizens' in other words. Stephane Dion is either completely out of touch with what is going on out here or he has balls of steel.

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Liberal MP Garth Turner predicts that higher energy prices will send Canada to its doom:

Oil at $130 and gas at $1.40 will have a serious effect on everything over the coming months. The new cost of energy saps cash flow and consumer confidence. It is a death knell to the sale of suburban houses on distant crescents and cul-de-sacs. It is killing off export, tourist, automotive and manufacturing jobs

Liberal leader Stephane Dion - Energy prices will increase under my green shift plan :

We know that they will pass on part of their costs to their consumers because they cannot eliminate the emissions overnight, with all the goodwill of the world. We know that." Mr. Dion said of the big oil and gas companies. 

It will be much better 10 years from now.

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Gold in the Calgary Sun :

"I'm confident we will have significant reductions. I'm not telling you specific numbers because you would not trust me." - Stephane Dion

Comments (9)

WL Mackenzie Redux said:

	... Last time Chretien sent the Neon one out west to sell Librano hegemony he was booed in Calgary...this time (if Turner's with him) he should be greeted with some rotten tomatoes
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Jun 27, 2008 14:48:58
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Pablo said:

... Stephi must be out of touch then, because he sure ain't got no balls! Incidentally, the G&M article infers that Alberta and Saskatchewan are the two highest polluting provinces in Canada. Alberta maybe, but Saskatchewan?!? I find it very hard to believe that they would emit more pollution than Ontario and Quebec. Or is this calculated by using some newfangled "environMENTAL" math or something?

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Jun 27, 2008 14:55:09
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Robert Marr said:

	... Citoyen Dion was almost there. I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to say it. "Screw you, Alberta!" Pablo, I suspect it's on a per capita basis. Big oil and small population (and a newly-elected rightwing government) makes Saskatchewan a bad boy. Welcome to the club, neighbours.
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Jun 27, 2008 15:19:42
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andycanuck said:

	... Does "green jobs" mean that they'll be reduced to eating grass to survive like North Koreans who aren't part of the state apparatus?
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Jun 27, 2008 16:17:50
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philanthropist said:

	... Dion's national energy program aims to bankrupt both the East and the West - it's much more inclusive than previous national energy programs.
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Jun 27, 2008 16:58:06
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Robert Marr said:

	... It'll sell well in Quebec. They have plenty of hydroelectric power and with no increase in gasoline taxes, they won't feel the pain too much...except, of course, when they book their annual winter trips to Florida.
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Jun 27, 2008 17:04:32
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puddin 'n pie said:

	... yeah Saskabush is right up there with Newfie-land in spewing CO2 from oil production. what about it Danny-boy? Gonna let a Quebec Liberal "screw everybody" on the Rock?
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Jun 27, 2008 18:14:49
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michael bonnelame said:

	... Mr. Dion must have balls of steel to announce this plan to Albertans during the Calgary Stampede. To be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if he got shit-kicked while he was here.
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Jun 27, 2008 20:11:44 | url
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lucifers taxi said:

	... Stepon DeYawn doesn't have to have a clue- he's a Gliberal from Queerbec.
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Jun 28, 2008 03:50:15
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