CHRETIEN MAY IMPOSE KYOTO ON CANADA NEXT MONTH

OTTAWA, August 29, 2002 (LSN.ca) – The federal government could present the Kyoto Protocol to Cabinet as early as September 26 for its rubber stamp on ratification and implementation—even though some of the provinces most affected by it, particularly Alberta, are strongly opposed.  David Anderson, the Environment Minister, said yesterday the decision to announce ratification is up to the Prime Minister. As is usual in Canada, Parliament will have no significant input into the treaty, which commits Canada to reducing its “output of greenhouse gases” to 6% below the level produced in 1990.  But provinces such as Alberta believe the Kyoto Protocol will have a devastating impact on the province’s oil and gas sector. The United States has rejected Kyoto and business groups believe Canada will put itself at a competitive disadvantage with the United States in ratifying the treaty.  To read national coverage, use the www.canada.com Search function.