In his March 2006 Budget speech, the Quebec Finance Minister, Michel Audet, announced measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These measures apply to collective transportation and hybrid vehicles, among others. How do they translate into our daily lives? Are there any tangible benefits for the common mortal?
Did you know that, in 2003, the province of Quebec was the greenest of all in terms of greenhouse gas emissions? Its average at the time was 12.1 tons of CO2 per capita. This remarkable performance was largely the result of the choices Quebecers have made in the past. Indeed, with Hydro-Québec leading the way, we collectively decided to invest in hydroelectricity, an energy source that represents 97 percent of all the electricity produced in Quebec. By comparison, Ontario's average was 16.8 tons, while Alberta's was the highest at an astonishing 71 tons. The national average was 23.4 tons per capita.
Collective transportation
Quebec is different in terms of transportation. For cultural, financial and other reasons, Quebecers are more inclined to buy subcompact cars than people in other provinces. As a result, our vehicle fleet is one of the best performing in the country. Montreal, in particular, is recognized as one of the leading North American cities for collective transportation. That's a fairly positive statement, isn't it?
Does that mean we should rest on our laurels? Not really, because the greenhouse gas emissions have increased significantly over the last 15 years. Quebec's road transport alone makes up for nearly 40 percent of all greenhouse gases. So, the mere fact of encouraging collective transportation allows the provincial government to make further steps toward sustainable development. As Mr. Audet said during his speech: "One bus equals about 40 cars and produces six times less greenhouse gases." In addition, collective transportation will make our roads less crowded, which will reduce the number of gridlocks and the infrastructure costs.
We're gonna pay you to go to work!
The Finance Minister announced that 1.5 billion dollars will be spent over the next three years to maintain and refresh the infrastructures and the equipments used by collective transportation. Mr. Audet identified the priorities for Montreal's subway system, the development of a suburban train line in the Northeast Montreal area and for the Quebec City transport network. He also introduced an interesting measure for people who use collective transportation: a tax incentive for businesses that would pay all or part of their employees' bus, train or subway costs as well as tax exemption for employees who use those transportation modes. This means that some people might receive a subsidy for using the bus or the train and not even have to declare anything in their tax papers. Wonderful! Now, let's wait and see how much those incentives will be for businesses and their employees.
Did you know that, in 2003, the province of Quebec was the greenest of all in terms of greenhouse gas emissions? Its average at the time was 12.1 tons of CO2 per capita. This remarkable performance was largely the result of the choices Quebecers have made in the past. Indeed, with Hydro-Québec leading the way, we collectively decided to invest in hydroelectricity, an energy source that represents 97 percent of all the electricity produced in Quebec. By comparison, Ontario's average was 16.8 tons, while Alberta's was the highest at an astonishing 71 tons. The national average was 23.4 tons per capita.
Collective transportation
Quebec is different in terms of transportation. For cultural, financial and other reasons, Quebecers are more inclined to buy subcompact cars than people in other provinces. As a result, our vehicle fleet is one of the best performing in the country. Montreal, in particular, is recognized as one of the leading North American cities for collective transportation. That's a fairly positive statement, isn't it?
Does that mean we should rest on our laurels? Not really, because the greenhouse gas emissions have increased significantly over the last 15 years. Quebec's road transport alone makes up for nearly 40 percent of all greenhouse gases. So, the mere fact of encouraging collective transportation allows the provincial government to make further steps toward sustainable development. As Mr. Audet said during his speech: "One bus equals about 40 cars and produces six times less greenhouse gases." In addition, collective transportation will make our roads less crowded, which will reduce the number of gridlocks and the infrastructure costs.
We're gonna pay you to go to work!
The Finance Minister announced that 1.5 billion dollars will be spent over the next three years to maintain and refresh the infrastructures and the equipments used by collective transportation. Mr. Audet identified the priorities for Montreal's subway system, the development of a suburban train line in the Northeast Montreal area and for the Quebec City transport network. He also introduced an interesting measure for people who use collective transportation: a tax incentive for businesses that would pay all or part of their employees' bus, train or subway costs as well as tax exemption for employees who use those transportation modes. This means that some people might receive a subsidy for using the bus or the train and not even have to declare anything in their tax papers. Wonderful! Now, let's wait and see how much those incentives will be for businesses and their employees.