WHAT THE PARTIES SAY ABOUT ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

The Conservatives have:

approved the Enbridge Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline that would run from Alberta to the Pacific coast at Kitimat, B.C.; supported the proposed TransCanada Energy East project, a west-to-east oil pipeline from Alberta to New Brunswick; supported the proposed TransCanada Keystone XL oilsands pipeline from Alberta to U.S. Gulf Coast.

committed to reducing Canada’s emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, largely relying on provincial measures to meet that goal.

agreed with other G7 nations to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050 and eliminate use of fossil fuels by the end of the century.

The NDP promises to:

continue opposing the Northern Gateway pipeline; it initially supported concept of west-east pipeline, but says Energy East can’t be approved without more stringent environmental review process; opposes Keystone XL pipeline.

create a cap-and-trade system with a market price on carbon emissions; revenue from cap-and-trade would be invested in a greener energy sector in regions where dollars are generated.

work with provinces to create a new fund to help Canadians retrofit their homes and offices to save energy and money.

redirect $1 billion a year from fossil fuel subsidies to investment in the clean energy sector.

invest in Sustainable Development Technology Canada — including wind, hydro, solar and geothermal technologies — to create thousands of new jobs for Canadians.

The Liberals promise to:

continue to oppose proposed Northern Gateway pipeline; support Energy East and Keystone XL pipelines.

put a price on carbon pollution that allows provinces to design their own carbon pricing policies.

partner with provinces and territories to establish national emissions-reduction targets.

invest millions in clean technologies and enhance tax measures to create more green jobs.

introduce an environmental review process with more “teeth.”

hold First Ministers’ meeting with premiers within 90 days of the Paris UN climate change conference this December to establish a framework for reducing Canada’s carbon footprint.

increase the amount of Canada’s protected marine and coastal areas to five per cent by 2017 and 10 per cent by 2020.

phase out subsidies for the fossil fuel industry.

along with the U.S. and Mexico, develop a North American clean energy and environmental agreement.

The Greens promise to:

introduce carbon pricing through a fee-and-dividend system to reduce fossil fuel use and encourage private sector investment in green tech, clean energy and green jobs.

accelerate construction of green infrastructure, ensuring a majority of Canada’s energy needs come from renewable sources by 2025.

work with the provinces to ensure no new coal-fired electrical generation plants are built in Canada.

propose light-rail trains.