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The One-Tonne Challenge:

Let’s Get On With It!

A Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

E X E C U T I V E   S U M M A R Y


Few Canadians understand the “One-Tonne Challenge” issued by the Government of Canada in its Climate Change Action Plan for Canada.

The One-Tonne Challenge is an attempt to get Canadians personally involved in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are threatening our natural habitat, our climate, and endangering the health of an ever-growing number of Canadians and their neighbours.

The Government of Canada is asking Canadians to go on a diet – a sensible, workable energy diet that would see every Canadian lose a tonne. We are talking about a one-tonne reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (about the weight of a compact car) per person, out of the five tonnes the average Canadian adds to the atmosphere each year just through everyday activity.

Not every Canadian understands that the emissions that we put into the air have weight, and that these emissions are endangering the world’s climate in ways that will have a devastating effect on the lives of our children and future generations. Unless we act now.

Half of individual Canadians’ GHG emissions (49.9%) emanate from the tailpipes of the vehicles on our roads. Other causes are space heating (28.7%) water heating (11.1%), appliances (7.5%) and lighting (2.4%).

By ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, Canada has agreed to the first step….that during the first commitment period (2008-2012) we will cut our GHG emissions to a level 6% below the 1990 level.

A problem exists, however. Surveys show that many Canadians are unaware of the program. Even many of those who are aware do not consider the challenge to be a priority for them. They do not believe that their contribution could be significant.The truth is that their contribution will be significant if Canadians get on board and rise to the One-Tonne Challenge. 

But will information alone inspire Canadians to take action?

Your Committee’s answer, after listening to qualified witnesses on this question, is “NO”. The Committee believes that if the federal government fails to use tools that go beyond consciousness-raising, the One-Tonne Challenge will amount to little more than a public-relations exercise.

The Government of Canada has a wide array of policy tools to make this happen and it will need them all. Only an intelligent combination of information, incentives, regulations and cooperation will get the One-Tonne job done. If the Government fails to use all the available tools it will bear the blame for the failure of the One-Tonne Challenge.

To help Canadians meet the One-Tonne target by 2012, your Committee recommends:

1- That the Government of Canada ensure that energy prices more realistically reflect all the costs, including environmental costs, associated with the production and use of energy.

2 - That the Government of Canada offer a five-year GST moratorium on the retail purchase of all energy-saving and energy efficient consumer products (excluding motor vehicles – see Recommendation # 4) and on all renewable-energy equipment. Surcharges on inefficient products should be introduced to make this measure revenue neutral for the government.

3 - That the provinces introduce a similar five-year provincial sales tax moratorium. Discussions with the provinces should not be considered a reason to delay an immediate start to the federal tax realignment.

4 -That buyers of new, energy-efficient vehicles (including hybrid vehicles) receive graduated rebates of up to $2,000 from the Government of Canada. To make this measure revenue neutral for the government, buyers of fuel-inefficient vehicles should pay a clearly identified, point-of-purchase surcharge.

5 - That the Government of Canada re-examine all other fiscal policies to favour energy-efficiency. As one example, the Government should give employers who provide workers with transit passes the same favourable tax treatment now granted to employers who provide staff with company cars or light trucks.

6- That the Government of Canada ensure that retail gasoline prices reflect all of the costs, including environmental costs, associated with the production and use of gasoline.

7- That the Government of Canada introduce motor vehicle fuel consumption standards by 2010 that are 25% more rigorous than they are now.

8 –That by 2010, the Government of Canada introduce energy-efficiency standards for all consumer goods (excluding motor vehicles – See Recommendation #7) that make Canadian standards equal to, or better than, the most stringent standards found in other industrialized countries.

9 – That by 2006, the Government of Canada introduce Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards for all federal operations.

10 - That provincial, territorial and municipal governments adopt similar Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards to increase the percentage of Canadians’ energy supply coming from renewable resources.

11 - That the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions be designated as an essential criterion for all relevant federally funded infrastructure projects.

12 - That all orders of government continue to take full advantage of the offers made by Canada’s energy distributors to assist in delivering the One-Tonne Challenge message and related programs.

13 - That in order to fund stable, long-term energy efficiency programs, the Government of Canada and the provincial and territorial governments introduce energy surcharges.

14 - That the Government of Canada continue to support the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection Program, and to expand its focus by engaging municipal governments in the design and execution of the One-Tonne Challenge.

15- That the Government of Canada commit to stable funding for community action groups that have demonstrated a capacity to develop and deliver household energy-saving programs.

The first tentative steps have been made, but much remains to be done. Canadian businesses and industries have already begun to do their part. Now is the time for individual Canadians to do theirs. That is the One-Tonne Challenge.

The Kyoto clock starts running in less than four years. There is no more time to waste.

Let’s get on with it!

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: Holly Roy or Aaron Murzyn at (780) 470-5300 or (780) 886-4972.


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