Biofuels offer tremendous potential for Ontario’s environment, our economy, and our farm families. In recent weeks however, our biofuel plan has come under attack. Critics of this government have suggested our plan needs to do more to strike the right balance between biofuels and the need to produce food. That’s exactly the balance this Government is delivering. In this article, I intend to set the record straight on this Government’s biofuel goals.

Even when Canada reaches its biofuel goals, 95 per cent of Canadian cropland will continue to produce food. This Government’s goal of 5 per cent renewable content in gasoline and 2 per cent renewable content in diesel is more balanced and achievable than those called for by opposition parties. By meeting Canada’s biofuel goals, we will make a real difference for our environment and future generations by taking the equivalent of almost one million cars off the road.

Our government is investing $500 million in developing biofuel technology. This is benefiting farmer’s right here in our own community. Biofuels can provide local markets where farmers can sell their crops for fair prices rather than watching diesel bills erode their profits. And local biofuel plants create job opportunities in our rural communities. Next generation biofuel projects even have the potential to turn grasses and cattle manure into renewable fuels.

Critics note that increased demand for food in places such as China and India are creating a rise in commodity prices. This government understands that there are factors beyond our control increasing demand for staples like rice, but we are taking action to help less fortunate people facing hunger. Canada is presently the second largest contributor to the United Nations World Food Program. In fact, on April 30th this government announced an additional $50 million commitment in response to the World Food Program’s request for more assistance. With the extra $50 million, Canada's total food aid contribution for this year will be $231 million.

This Government understands the potential of biofuels and we are delivering a triple-win for Canada through balanced biofuel policies that are good for our environment, good for our farm families, and good for our economy.

Guy Lauzon, M.P.
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry