Calgary- Alberta Liberal MLA David Swann is looking for environmental stewardship rather than talk from Premier Stelmach.
A recent poll commissioned by the province reveals that only 16 percent of Albertans and three percent of Canadians believe that “Alberta’s government is a good environmental steward.”
“Clearly, Albertans have seen through Premier Stelmach’s efforts to greenwash his government’s poor environmental record,” says Swann. “If he can’t convince Albertans that he’s serious about protecting the environment, why is he wasting time trying to convince world leaders – particularly an American President-elect who has made clean energy a priority?”
Swann wants stronger targets and timelines for greenhouse gas reductions, capping emissions in Alberta within five years and harmonized with the federal government targets for 2020 and 2050. “Industry needs certainty, a level playing field, and a good international reputation to thrive. This government is not protecting our environment or our vital oil and gas sector,” says Swann.
He also supports a stronger government monitoring and enforcement mechanism to ensure that industry is meeting emissions reduction targets.
 “Right now, the government is allowing industry to self-regulate. But you only have to look at the world financial crisis to see how destructive a lack of government oversight can be,” Swann says. Working together, government and industry can reduce our carbon footprint.”
Swann says that carbon capture and storage is only part of the solution. “We must adopt several market tools to curb emissions, including increasing the per tonne levy on large emitters, some form of cap and trade system, and regulations.” 
Swann notes that the use of market based policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is strongly supported by leading scientists and climate change organizations, such as the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).