nuclear-news

Canada’s New Democrats gaining support for opposing nuclear subsidies

Canada’s New Democrats  – Jack Layton and New Democrats advocate ending public subsidies for nuclear energy industry.

 Jack Layton on nuclear power in Canada, Gordon Edwards, 27 April 2011  Canadians go to the polls on Monday May 2 to elect new representativesfor the House of Commons, Canada’s elected Parliament

Jack Layton is the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), which has received a very dramatic surge in popular support in recent days, a surge which is mainly felt in the province of Quebec but which is also being noticed across Canada.

Jack Layton, Leader

Canada’s New Democrats Jack Layton and New Democrats advocate ending public subsidies for nuclear energy industry. New Democrats believe in halting nuclear expansion and upgrading the safety and security of current nuclear energy and waste management facilities. We believe in promoting clean, renewable energy to mitigate the negative effect of non-renewable energy such as fossil fuel.

The Canadian Nuclear Industry regularly describes itself as a mature industry, particularly concerning government regulation. As a mature industry it should be able to operate without major subsidies from government.

It was for this reason that Canada’s New Democrats opposed the minor increase to Canada’s Nuclear Liability Act the Harper Conservatives have tried several times to drive through the House of Commons. It is our position that these legislated maximum liability levels are a hidden subsidy for this industry. New Democrats feel the industry must either accept at a minimum a liability level of $10 billion dollars rather than the few hundred million the Harper Conservatives have in mind.

While there may be a need for government support of nuclear research New Democrats does not see the need for government subsidies of a mature industry just as we oppose subsidies for the tar sand. As it stands, Canadians would be better off investing in cleanenergy technologies rather than nuclear considering the major risks associated with this…..http://www.cleanairalliance.org/files/active/0/NDP%20response.pdf

April 30, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, politics