Kyoto consultations have cost
$22.3m since 1998
By The Canadian Press
The federal government has spent $22.3 million on
consultations related to the Kyoto protocol since 1998,
according to figures obtained by Liberal Senator Mira Spivak.
Spivak, a Kyoto backer, requested the figures after the
Alberta government alleged Ottawa had not conducted meaningful
consultations on how to comply with the Kyoto climate accord.
The breakdown, provided by Spivak's office Wednesday, is as
follows:
- $6.07 million since 1998 for the National Climate Change
Secretariat, which co-ordinates federal-provincial
consultations and has managed nine meetings of energy and
environment ministers. Alberta has been a steady participant.
- $13.93 million for activities of 16 working groups, known
as issues tables, to look at how different economic sectors
could contribute to meeting Kyoto objectives.
- $400,000 for cross-country consultations seeking input
into a proposed national climate change business plan. About
400 groups and individuals took part.
- $650,000 for national workshops in 14 cities, intended to
get input from interested groups on a federal discussion paper
on Canada's contribution to addressing climate change.
- $1.25 million for consultations on a domestic emissions
trading system, conducted by the National Round Table on
Environment and the Economy.
Meanwhile, the University of Alberta has agreed to jointly
sponsor a forum with Ottawa on the controversial treaty.
Earlier this week university officials decided to withdraw
from the event after federal Environment Minister David
Anderson refused to include anti-Kyoto speakers on the panel.
Under attack in question period Wednesday, Anderson told
Parliament he is now willing to allow the university to name
whomever they wish to speak at the forum, scheduled for
Tuesday.
|