Strategies for a fairer and more sustainable economy
GREEN TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT FUNDS

Several problems

We know that environmental protection will be an increasingly central issue of our times. We cannot underestimate the urgency to act.

However, the current discourse of many environmentalists ­ and of many others ­ reinforces the idea that there is a contradiction between environmental protection and economic development.

We must think otherwise. On this score, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that our consumption habits and methods of production must change significantly and in short order. The good news is that we can transform this challenge into an important motor of economic growth. Itıs time to think in terms of environmental development.

Some solutions

During a first mandate, we will implement a vast Green Technology Investment Fund. This Fund would favour research and investment in cleaner methods of production, distribution and management.

The following fields will be our priority:

• The development of cleaner production technologies and procedures;
• The better treatment of waste products;
• Re-utilization techniques and recycling technologies;
• The development of renewable energy sources;
• Electrical transport (particularly cars and buses);
• Agriculture and forestry.

This Fund would act in three ways, in the following proportions:

• Invest directly, through share purchases, in private or cooperative businesses (50%);
• Offer low-interest loans (30%);
• Directly subsidize projects (20%).

This fund would be financed by a special tax of only 2˘ per litre of gas, which would permit the creation of a $4.5 billion fund in the space of five (5) years.

In addition to being a powerful means of protecting our natural environment and the quality of our collective life, this Fund would be an important instrument for creating jobs, particularly in research and in implementing new production methods.

When distributing money, this Fund will have to ensure equity between all regions in Canada. Wide-ranging consultations will be held in order to pinpoint the priority targets and the medium and long-range objectives.

Let us finally underline that any firm investing in new green technologies will receive a better rating on its social balance sheet.