Government of Canada Promotes New Biofuels Technology

More Canadians will soon be putting cleaner biofuels in their vehicles such as ethanol and biodiesel. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today announced program details and eligibility requirements for $1.5 billion in biofuel production incentives available through the Government of Canada's ecoENERGY for Biofuels initiative.

"This Government strongly supports the development of biofuels, which will lead to new markets for our farmers, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new jobs for our cities and towns," said Minister Gerry Ritz. "The biofuels production incentive is a perfect example of our government's practical, balanced approach to tackling climate change."

Gasoline sold in Canada will require an average of five percent renewable content by 2010.

Diesel fuel and heating oil will require an average of two percent renewable content by 2012.

To meet those requirements, it is estimated that Canada will need three billion litres of renewable fuel a year. Canadian production is currently about 800 million litres per year.

Under the ecoENERGY for Biofuels initiative, which the Prime Minister announced in July 2007, the Government of Canada will invest up to $1.5 billion over nine years in incentives to encourage greater private sector investment in biofuel production.

Producers of ethanol and other renewable alternatives to gasoline will be eligible for incentives of up to 10 cents per litre of production; biodiesel producers can receive incentives of up to 20 cents per litre, for the first three years.........

December 3, 2007 -Canada 's Environment Minister, John Baird, today announced the appointment of an advisory panel of eminent Canadians to provide advice and assistance at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Indonesia.

"The team of eminent Canadians will be a tremendous asset to the Government of Canada as we map out our path forward at home and abroad," said Minister Baird.

"Greenhouse gases and air pollution know no borders and affect everyone on the planet. That's why our Government is committed to tackling climate change and working with the international community to develop a post-2012 agreement that involves all major emitters adopting ambitious targets."

The panel of advisors is led by the former Premier of Quebec, the Hon. Pierre-Marc Johnson. Mr. Johnson is recognized for his expertise in international trade, negotiations and international partnerships as well as environmental and health law. He will be joined by the following eminent Canadians:

• Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former head of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP);
• Ian Morton, founder of the Clean Air Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of Summerhill Group;
• Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)..….