Federal budget fails to address public concern on environment

March 19, 2007 VANCOUVER - Today's federal budget lacks a tangible plan and crucial financial detail to address the top concern of Canadians - global warming, says the David Suzuki Foundation.

"When it comes to the environment, this federal budget largely recycles the previous government's climate change programs, only with less money," says Dale Marshall of the David Suzuki Foundation.

Mr. Marshall notes the federal government should receive praise for its allocation of $110-million to protect the habitat of species at risk and its carbon tax on gas-guzzling vehicles, but it's clear the government chose to ignore their international obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Monday's budget falls well short of the "massive scale-up" of efforts to tackle climate change that the former environment commissioner called for last fall," says Mr. Marshall.

In addition to no mention of greenhouse gas emission reductions and an absence of a coordinated plan to address the country's environmental priorities, the budget comes up short by only apportioning $19 million over two years for marine conservation - a far cry from the $600 million environment groups said was needed to adequately protect Canada's oceans and coastlines.

"The government pledged less than three per cent of the funds required for its own Oceans Action Plan," says Bill Wareham, acting director of the Foundation's marine conservation program. "The budget short-changes Canada's ability to protect its oceans. We won't be able to protect our fish stocks from collapse from the effects of climate change with a few protected areas scattered across Canada's vast oceans."

For more information contact:

Dale Marshall
Policy Analyst, Climate Change Program
David Suzuki Foundation
Cell: (613) 302-9913

Bill Wareham
Acting Director, Marine Conservation Program
David Suzuki Foundation
Cell: (604) 740-4318

Jason Curran
Communications Specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Office: (604) 732-4228, ext. 229
jcurran@davidsuzuki.org