In its latest Kyoto plan, the federal government wants every Canadian to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne a year.

The revised plan was tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday. It calls on individuals as well as industry and government to play a role in implementing the accord.

Each Canadian should reduce emissions by 20 per cent by conserving energy and through other means, the plan says.

David Anderson

Environment Minister David Anderson said the time to discuss ratification is passed. He repeated the government's intention to ratify the accord by Christmas.

"It's time to roll up our sleeves," he said.

The plan also promises Canadians won't be hurt financially by Kyoto.

Herb Dhaliwal

In a concession to industry and the provinces, emissions targets won't be imposed up front in the plan, but would be negotiated. Those emissions contracts with industry, then, would be legally binding.

Large producers of greenhouse gases would be required to cut 55 megatonnes. Industries that have already reduced their emissions will get credit for those efforts.

"Early actors will not be disadvantaged," said Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal.

The plan marks a revision of a draft plan released a month ago, which the provinces loudly rejected.

The new plan doesn't address a key demand made by the provinces, that they be compensated for losses the accord might bring.

And provincial reaction was mixed to the new version. Nova Scotia Energy Minister Gordon Balser said he is angry that the plan was presented to the Commons and the media before the provinces were able to discuss it.

"That's not how a partnership develops, so we are very distressed by this," he told CBC Newsworld.

The federal government's action plan includes a partnership fund for sharing the costs of implementing Kyoto with the provinces, territories and other governments or organizations.

Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Minister Eldon Lautermilch said the federal government had taken the 12 principles demanded by the provinces, rejected three and changed seven. He said his province won't accept the new plan.

Manitoba Conservation Minister Steve Ashton agreed with Anderson's view of the process, however. "We think it's time to move away from 'Kyoto yes' or 'Kyoto no' and into implementation on climate change," he said.

The plan also calls for infrastructure investment to improve public transit in cities.

Federal and provincial bureaucrats responsible for energy and the environment are meeting on Thursday in Toronto.

A meeting of the energy and environment ministers was cancelled when the provinces said there wasn't enough information being provided by the federal government to make a gathering worthwhile.

A ministers meeting is set for next Friday.