Environment minister lashes back at federal watchdog

Canada’s environment minister hit back at a federal watchdog Wednesday, charging that the new environment commissioner omitted key facts in a report that criticized the government’s lack of progress reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Leona Aglukkaq wouldn’t answer opposition MP questions about when the government will release draft regulations to crack down on carbon emissions from the oil and gas sector. Nor would her department explain why it had kept the regulations secret, or undertaken what the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, Julie Gelfand, termed a narrow and private consultation.

Gelfand revealed Tuesday that the government had a draft of the regulations for more than a year, sharing it with only a few industry representatives and the province of Alberta.

In the House of Commons Wednesday, Aglukkaq pointed to the United States as the reason for delays for the new rules.

“This is a continental issue and we need a North Americanwide solution. Our government will continue to work with the United States on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the oil and gas sector. We feel it is best to align with the United States,” Aglukkaq said.

She also criticized Gelfand’s report — the first produced by Gelfand as new environment commissioner — citing a letter from a renewable fuels industry group that said Gelfand’s report omitted the government’s work to reduce emissions while helping to grow the biofuels industry.

The Conservatives promised regulations eight years ago and appeared ready to release them in 2012, but pulled back after the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers criticized the government for “serious deficiencies” and a “lack of constructive dialogue” on the proposed emission rules, according to a letter obtained by Postmedia News using the access to information law.

The regulations would crack down on carbon emissions in a sector where they are growing faster than in any other industry under federal watch. Regulations for passenger vehicles came into effect on Wednesday, bringing Canada in line with American standards.

The continuing lack of oil and gas regulations is one reason Canada is unlikely to meet its overall promises for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Gelfand said. She said the government has no plan to correct this.