NDP unveils plan for Kyoto

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - Massive investments in "green" cars, public transit and energy-saving retrofits to homes and offices are needed to help Canada meet its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, NDP Leader Jack Layton says.

Accusing the federal Liberals of dithering as air pollution worsens, Layton urged Ottawa to invest $3.4 billion a year over eight years to meet the Kyoto targets.

"We have been laggards under the Liberals when it comes to climate change," Layton told a news conference recently.

"They put our signature as Canadians on an international agreement to reduce pollution and then they've presided over an increase in pollution," Layton said as he unveiled his own party's proposals to achieve the Kyoto commitments.

Echoing a theme he used during last year's election, Layton is calling for a national refit program to help make buildings in Canada more energy efficient.

Under the program, homeowners would be given loan guarantees of up to $5,000 to install solar panels, new windows and better insulation. Tax incentives and low-interest loans would be used to encourage corporations to refit offices.

"Why wouldn't we do it? It can create thousands of jobs, reduce the cost of owning and operating a building, can help out low-income Canadians who are having a tough time paying their fuel bills," Layton said of the renovation program.

Other proposals include:

setting mandatory targets for light-duty vehicles that would cut emissions by 25 per cent and offering GST rebates for alternative-fuel vehicles.

creating a national building code that would force new buildings to use 25 per cent less energy.

boosting support for renewable energy, including installing 100,000 roof-top solar panels and building 10,000 wind turbines to generate electricity. offering financial incentives to help polluting industries to clean up and setting new regulations to ensure they do.

While the federal government has made repeated pledges to meet the international targets, Layton says Canada's environmental record lags behind most other industrialized countries.

And while Canada committed to a 6 per cent reduction by 2012, emissions have actually risen by about 20 per cent.

"There's a mouthing of the philosophy... talk of sustainable economics. They amount to just more hot air," Layton said.

"What we're looking for is some significant action. We certainly haven't seen it," he said.

Layton said he wants to see the NDP's proposals included in the upcoming budget and hopes to pitch the ideas to Finance Minister Ralph Goodale and Prime Minister Paul Martin over the coming weeks.