Institute a national program to penalize polluters and reward green initiatives

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If I were Prime Minister I would start taxing corporations for the pollution they create. I’d also give them firm targets for reducing pollution and fine them (heavily) if they fail to comply.
JANET, CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Polluters must be prosecuted and fined amounts equal to or greater than the profits made from polluting. Repeat offender’s business license must not be renewed or perhaps with strict stipulations.
CRAIG, PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO

Consider imposing duties on products manufactured in “high pollution” factories to reflect the environmental cost associated with such products.
HARVEY, GREATER VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

I would tax polluters heavily, and reward sustainable development and green technologies.
MIKE, ST. LAZARE, QUÉBEC

Industry is clearly short-sighted and profit driven. Because the bottom line is what matters to them most, it is unlikely that anything will change with major industries, such as oil producers, unless they are forced to change. Stringent regulations must be implemented to protect the environment from the devastating effects of industrial pollution.
WENDY, HACKETT’S COVE, NOVA SCOTIA

Si j’étais premier ministre, la protection de l’environnement serait ma priorité, pas seulement en paroles, mais réellement.
MICHELLE, LA POCATIÈRE, QUÉBEC

Si j’étais premier ministre, j’imposerais une amende pour les industries polluantes, prises en défaut et pour celles qui font des efforts concrets et le démontrent clairement, je pourrais ainsi leur accorder une déduction d’imput pour leurs bonnes volontés de réduire la pollution. C’est du donnant-donnant.
F. ROBERT, LÉVIS, QUÉBEC

I would enforce strict pollution laws with heavy fines up to temporary shut down until compliance.
ALEXIS, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

I would change the laws for corporate environmental crimes. Too often large multinational corporations make a business decision to harm the environment and destroy ecosystems. The decision-makers in these corporations find that paying the fine for polluting ground water, spilling dangerous chemicals, and releasing toxins into the air is significantly cheaper than taking the necessary safety precautions. When they weigh the costs and the benefits, our environment loses. These criminal offenders should be required to serve time in prison rather than simply pay a fine that does not really harm their annual profits. A crime against nature is just as serious as any crime against a person or their property. I believe that if those with decision-making power in large corporations were faced with the risk of jail time for their neglect of the environment, they would quickly clean up their act.
RACHEL, CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO

I would institute a “polluter pay” system where industries and activities that pollute or damage the environment would be legislated to pay for such damage.
JACOB, EDMONTON, ALBERTA

I would force all companys to reduce pollution. If they do not comply they would be shut down. Fines do not work because of the huge profits companys make. Also we should not allow products to be sold in Canada if the company that makes them is not an environmentally friendly company .
DOUG, MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK

Give funding for the development of alternative and renewable energy such as solar energy, wind power, and geothermal energy.
AMBER, YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Increase transfer payments to provinces that adopt renewable energy resources. Provide tax incentives to home owners as well as companies that use or convert to solar, wind and/or thermal energy. Incentives to local and provincal governments that use Biodiesel or flexfuels and switch federal vehicles to Biodiesel or flexfuels. Incentives to industries that produce alternate fuels or convert from fossil fuel production. Canadians need to look at the Europeans, follow their example and switch to wind energy.
CRAIG, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

I would make moving towards clean wind and solar energy, my priority, and leave a lasting positive impact for all Canadians and future Canadians to enjoy.
SHANE, GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA

Promote alternative green solutions for our energy needs and daily lifes.
JONATHAN, YUKON

I would make huge tax credits for people and businesses who wanted to invest in green energy and conservation initiatives.
KURT, ST. NORBERT, MANITOBA

I would encourage anyone to take advantage of using the natural Fundy Tides to create power. I would encourage and support all areas in Canada to start using wind power and solar power! I would create an Energy Education campaign for all Canadians (young and old) to follow; even offer tax incentives.
JUDY, HAMPTON, NEW BRUNSWICK

I would use the money earmarked for subsidizing the oil and gas industry and invest that in green technology such as geo-thermal sources, biomass, solar, and wind energy.
FAITH, MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC

I would incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, water, and geothermal power. I would not use nuclear power! It’s so windy in Newfoundland let’s get some wind turbines set up and make good use of all this wind!
NATALIE, ST JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

If I were Prime Minister I would increase funding to green energy research such as geothermal, solar cells, wind, and biological and chloroplast solar systems. I would also fund ways of cutting carbon dioxide levels such as carbon dioxide fixing bacteria, finding particular native plants that absorb large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, encouraging green roofing projects in urban areas, and the development of certain materials that absorb carbon dioxide.
SCOTT, NEWMARKET, ONTARIO

Si j’étais premier ministre ,je fournirais des fonds la recherche pour trouver des moyens pour remplacer les énergiespoluantes ...
GILLES, QUÉBEC, QUÉBEC

Si j’étais premier ministre ... Je ferais de la formation afin que tous comprennent ce qu’est un environnement systémique et ce que cela veut dire au niveau de notre responsabilité quotidienne puis je mettrais en place des mécanismes afin d’appliquer le principe de polueur utilisateur payeur mais avec gros bon sens et sens pratique afin de ne par freiner le développement économique et le progrès.
GILLES, MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC

I would encourage and support environmentally friendly energy producing methods such as wind turbines for windy areas as well as tidal energy in New Brunswick.
SYLVIE, CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

I would provide increased subsidies and initiatives to fund wind and solar energy projects at the individual, business, municipal, and provincial level.
RHETT, SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN

I would increase subsidies to alternative energy industries and develop minimum green standards for new buildings.
JENNIFER, IGLOOLIK, NUNAVUT