In his latest budget, the outgoing Finance Minister of Quebec, Michel Audet, announced an incentive that will stimulate the use of biodiesel. The government will give a tax refund to all Quebecers who drive a vehicle that runs on pure biodiesel (not mixed with any other type of fuel at the time of purchase). A tax refund is still possible in the case of biodiesel mixed with another fuel, but suppliers will have to guarantee a minimum amount of biodiesel in the mix before selling it. Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods, is Canada's leading rendering company and one of the main alternative fuel manufacturers. It operates six facilities across the country, including one in Sainte-Catherine, on the South shore of Montreal. This plant alone has a biodiesel production capacity of 35 million liters annually. Rothsay makes its biodiesel from animal fats, recycled cooking oil and restaurant grease. This "green" fuel reduces harmful greenhouse gases, smog-causing particles and acid-rain causing emissions. It can be used in every diesel engine on the market without any modification. The 35 million liters of biodiesel produced by the Sainte-Catherine plant translate into a 122,000-ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which is about the amount generated by 16,000 light trucks or 22,000 cars.
photo: Gouvernement du Québec