An environmentalist stole the show from Ed Stelmach Monday as the Alberta Conservative leader wrapped up an announcement of his party's environmental campaign promises.
Tory Leader Ed Stelmach debates environmentalist Paul Baker in Edmonton on Monday.
(CBC)
In a "green plan," Stelmach proposed a $100 tax credit or rebate for Albertans who buy energy-efficient furnaces, washers, lighting or solar hot-water heating systems.
A man posing as a reporter stepped to the foot of the podium at Edmonton's Shaw Convention Centre and took Stelmach to task for his government's carbon emission reduction plan.
"We need reductions now," said Paul Baker, a volunteer from a group called STOP, or Stop Tarsands Operations Permanently. He asked how green the Tory plan could be when it allows industrial carbon emissions to increase for the next 12 years and doesn't require a cut until 2050.
"You're not providing a renewable future for Albertans!" said Baker as he clutched a small red and black trophy.
A news release from Greenpeace later said Baker was trying to present Stelmach with the "Canadian Environmental Destroyer of the Year Award."
Stelmach told Baker that adopting the Kyoto accord, an international environmental agreement, would cost Alberta 335,000 jobs and $1 billion.
Environmentalist Paul Baker argued with Tory Leader Ed Stelmach for several minutes Monday before a security guard escorted him away.
(CBC)
"I'm not alarmist. All I'm saying is our plan is achievable. It's real. It's realistic and it will deliver on cleaning up the environment for the next generation," Stelmach countered to applause from his supporters.
"You know what? I'll tell you what. I'm for good things for Albertans," he continued. "I'm not for radical change."
A security guard escorted Baker from the premises after several minutes of debate with the Conservative leader.
The Alberta Liberals are calling for hard caps on carbon emissions to be brought in within five years. But Stelmach insists said that would kill the energy industry and lead to widespread layoffs.
Liberal Leader Kevin Taft said Monday Stelmach's warning numbers hurt his credibility.
"I don't know if he's trying to run a campaign of fear or a campaign of goofiness," said Taft. "Pulling numbers like that out of a hat doesn't do the issue any justice. It's just silly."
NDP pushes subsidies for energy-efficient homes
In its environmental platform, released Monday, the Alberta NDP said promises and deadlines for capping emissions are unrealistic. Leader Brian Mason said he's in favour of some sort of cap eventually but said the issue needs more consultation.
Speaking from the duplex of an NDP supporter who has retrofitted his basement with a geothermal furnace, Mason said his party would create a $20 billion fund out of higher oil and gas royalties to give Albertans subsidies to make their homes and businesses more energy-efficient.
"We're really talking about a very broadly based program where hundreds of thousands of Albertans would retrofit their homes and reduce their energy imprint," said Mason.
"So, to do that, you would have to look carefully at the economics for people and a combination of grants and a revolving fund that would provide loans."
Tories promise new urban provincial park
On Monday, the Progressive Conservatives promised to spend $50 million to make Edmonton's River Valley the largest urban park in North America, similar to a park plan put forth by the Alberta Liberals last week linking Devon and Fort Saskatchewan.
The Tories also announced a plan to establish a new provincial park in the Bow River Valley.
With files from the Canadian PressRelated
Alberta Votes 2008 »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
Riding Profiles
More Alberta Votes Headlines »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
