Canada to seek climate deal with Obama
OTTAWA, CANADA - Canada will seek a North American climate-change deal with U.S. president-elect Barack Obama.
Officials say they have been waiting for the departure of George W. Bush to work with his successor on an integrated carbon market.
While states and provinces have been cobbling together a patchwork of approaches, federal officials say the time is ripe for a continent-wide solution.
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon confirmed in an interview that the file will be an immediate priority.
He says there are plenty of similarities between Obama's climate position and the Canadian government's.
He says Environment Minister Jim Prentice will be working on the file over the coming weeks.
Obama has set the target of reducing greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020.
The Harper government's plan would cut emission three per cent below 1990s levels by that time.
Both targets fall well short of the Kyoto Accord, which is supported wholeheartedly by Europe and the developing world.
Related News

Sask. Party pledges 10% rebate on SaskPower electricity bills
REGINA - Saskatchewan Party leader Scott Moe says SaskPower customers can expect a one-year, 10 per cent rebate on electricity if they are elected government.
Moe said the pledge aims to make life more affordable for people. The rate would apply to everyone, including residential customers, farmers, businesses, hospitals, schools and universities.
The plan, which would cost government $261.6 million, expects to save the average residential customer $215 over the course of the year and the average farm customer $845.
“This is a very equitable way to ensure that we are not only providing that opportunity for those dollars to go back…