Last weekend, the Leader of the Parti Québécois, Pauline Marois, attended the Salon national de l'environnement in Old Montreal to talk about various actions that should be taken to reduce Quebec's dependence on oil.
Like most consumers, governments are worried about rising gas prices. The PQ deputy of Jonquière, Sylvain Gaudreault, also on hand, was very clear on that. "Let's not kid ourselves, he said. Gas prices will never go down again under $1 per liter and, with studies warning of a possible gas shortage in Quebec by 2030, there's a definite sense of urgency to go forward with a solid plan that will make Quebecers less dependent on oil."
Here are the PQ's proposed actions:
These proposed measures have been made public a few days before Prime Minister Jean Charest is scheduled to make an announcement. He will reportedly detail a new plan for the future of the automobile in Quebec, a plan that will include electric cars.
Like most consumers, governments are worried about rising gas prices. The PQ deputy of Jonquière, Sylvain Gaudreault, also on hand, was very clear on that. "Let's not kid ourselves, he said. Gas prices will never go down again under $1 per liter and, with studies warning of a possible gas shortage in Quebec by 2030, there's a definite sense of urgency to go forward with a solid plan that will make Quebecers less dependent on oil."
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Here are the PQ's proposed actions:
- Increase tax incentives for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles (much like the federal government's ecoAuto rebate program which, unfortunately, will end after the 2008 model year);
- Further develop public transit while increasing incentives to users
- Increase the financial support for research and development of alternative fuels like hydrogen, a highly promising technology for the auto industry;
- Stimulate the development and expand the use of fully-electric vehicles, starting with the government's own fleet;
These proposed measures have been made public a few days before Prime Minister Jean Charest is scheduled to make an announcement. He will reportedly detail a new plan for the future of the automobile in Quebec, a plan that will include electric cars.