OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien officially signed Canada on to the Kyoto protocol on Monday, a move supporters say is a world-saver and opponents call an economic disaster.
The formal signing ceremony in Chretien's Parliament Hill office was as brief as the political debate has been long.
''Because we believe in international institutions, we believed that we could play a positive role,'' Chretien said after he signed the document. ''This is very important for future generations.''
The final step remains for Environment Minister David Anderson to fly the ratified document to New York on Tuesday for presentation to the United Nations.
The agreement commits Canada to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 rates by 2012. That would require a cut of 20 to 30 per cent from current levels.
Copyright 2002 Canadian Press
Related Articles:
1) Canada takes ratified Kyoto protocol to the UN (17-DEC-02)
2) Albertans lead opposition to Kyoto (27-DEC-02)
3) Furor over ratification is over; Canada moves to making Kyoto work (28-DEC-02)
Legislative Déjà
Vu:
Massachusetts Bill To Ban Aftermarket Exhaust Systems Reappears
Last year, a coalition of Massachusetts SEMA Action Network car clubs, individual enthusiasts, custom exhaust manufacturers and vehicle supply companies helped successfully kill Massachusetts legislation that sought to prohibit the sale or installation of "an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust."
Unfortunately, that bill's sponsor introduced identical draft legislation, H.D. 1882, for consideration in 2003.
The problems with this legislation remain: Should H.D. 1882 become law hobbyists will be effectively prevented from replacing factory exhaust systems with better performing, more durable and stylish equipment. Worse still, H.D. 1882 would not provide Massachusetts police with a clear enforcement standard, allowing them to make purely subjective judgments about whether a custom exhaust is legal or not.
SEMA hopes that the same coalition of clubs that knocked down this legislation last year will be equally successful this year. This coalition includes SAN clubs like the Bearing Burners, Massachusetts Cruisers Auto Club, Ty-Rods, Massachusetts Association of Automobile Clubs, Spindles Auto Club of Weymouth, Dominators Car Club, Massachusetts Cruisers Club and the Bay State Classic Chevy Club. With their help, custom exhaust systems will remain a legal option for Massachusetts hobbyists.
The Ontario, Canada, Ministry of Transportation introduced legislation (Bill 241) that would ban certain automotive parts, substances and equipment that the Ministry claims are used in street racing. The bill is primarily directed at equipment that boosts engine performance.
Under the measure, regulations would be issued prescribing specific substances, parts and equipment covered under the ban. The regulations would also designate certain classes of persons or vehicles as exempt from the law and regulations. The bill provision of specific concern reads: "No person shall drive or permit to be driven on a highway a motor vehicle with a prescribed part containing a prescribed substance or equipped with prescribed equipment in prescribed circumstances."
The biggest concern is that this language is purposely vague and could consequently result in the ban or limitation of a range of speed equipment. If signed into law as currently drafted, this language would allow Ontario authorities to write regulations not only for nitrous oxide equipment, but also for other "prescribed equipment" vaguely related to street racing.
Hobbyists are already familiar with this type of poorly drafted legislation. Recent Nebraska legislation intending to eliminate nitrous oxide equipment was written so broadly that it could have also eliminated any product that boosted horsepower (superchargers, turbochargers, etc.). SEMA was successful in negotiating favorable compromise language to the Nebraska bill that only requires nitrous lines to be disconnected when a vehicle is operated on public highways. Our language also ensures that other power booster equipment remains legal.
Ontario's Legislative Assembly reconvenes in mid-March at which time the bill will be considered. SEMA will work directly with the Ontario Transportation Ministry and the Ontario legislature to kill or mitigate this provision. We are also working with Canadian aftermarket associations to coordinate opposition and will rely on our growing Canadian SEMA Action Network presence, Canadian SEMA members and related U.S. companies to apply grassroots pressure as necessary.
The (NAAACCC) National Association of Antique Automobile Clubs of Canada Corporation ,SVAO and the CSRA are also working to prevent this legislation from being passed into Canadian law.
The NAAACCC thanks SEMA for their continued support.