Reaction was swift and predictable Friday to a federal economic model which estimates 60,000 fewer jobs over eight years if the Kyoto accord is implemented.
The latest study also assumes that Canada will cut emissions by 170 megatonnes rather than the 240 megatonnes required to meet the Kyoto target.
That’s based on the premise Canada will get credits for clean energy exports of natural gas and hydroelectricity, so it wouldn’t have to meet its full commitment to reduce emissions.
Alberta Environment Minister Lorne Taylor reiterated the province’s complaint that Ottawa still hasn’t spelled out in full how Canada can meet Kyoto targets, and labelled the figures it’s using in the model as “incredibly optimistic.”
Nancy Hughes Anthony, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, accused the federal report of “fudging” Canada’s ability to meet the Kyoto targets, leaving Canadians with a false impression about potential impacts.
“The figures released today by the federal government indicate that implementing Kyoto will mean a lower standard of living, a higher tax burden and lower job growth in the years ahead,” said Hughes Anthony.
The Canadian chamber and its counterparts in Alberta have called on the federal government to implement a “made-in-Canada” plan which would preserve jobs and competitiveness.
The U.S. has refused to ratify the accord, and business and energy industry leaders fear an uneven playing field with its major trading partner will put Canada at an even greater economic disadvantage.
The report estimates that the economy would grow by about 16 per cent by 2010 if the accord is implemented, compared to 18 per cent if it wasn’t.
The economy would produce 1.26 million new jobs by 2010, as opposed to 1.32 million under the status quo – about 60,000 less jobs.
