<html> <body> <div align="center">Green On. The Online Newsletter of the Conservation Council of Ontario see <a href="http://www.greenontario.org/" eudora="autourl"> www.greenontario.org</a> to subscribe or unsubscribe Editor:  Chris Winter, Executive Director Note:  The Green On. listserve is currently being used to promote our We Conserve Initiative Please see <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/" eudora="autourl">www.weconserve.ca</a> for details. <img src="cid:6.2.1.2.0.20051215130526.03061cd8@pop.web.ca.1" width=322 height=41 alt="[]"> </div> <h2>Help design a conserver budget</h2>This week I attended a pre-budget consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Finance.  I suggested that this is the year that the government needs to look at a conservation budget.  This is the year that Ontario needs to make a visible commitment to a conserver economy as a new area of economic growth, and to create an efficient economy that is more resilient to resource scarcity and rising gas prices. Ontario Power Authority’s Supply Mix Advice Report says that Ontario does not have a credible track record in conservation.  The Ministry of Energy and the Conservation Bureau are trying to foster a "culture of conservation" with respect to electricity.  Where is the pricing mechanism that will penalize overconsumption, reward conservation, and facilitate the shift to renewable power? Places to Grow, the growth management plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe seeks to encourage compact, livable communities and vital downtown cores.  Where are the fiscal instruments to ensure that greenfield development is more expensive than brownfield or infill development, and to provide funding for community infrastructure (health and social services, bike lanes, recreation areas)? Ontarians have already seen a rise in gas prices, and even higher prices are just around the corner. We also had the worst air quality summer on record.  Where are the fiscal instruments to support a transition to fuel efficient (6.0 litres/100km and under) and hybrid cars? Michigan may soon close its borders to Toronto’s garbage.  Beyond the Blue Box, how can the government support waste reduction? Resources are at the heart of our economy.  Protecting significan natural areas and ensuring sustainable and viable forestry, agriculture and other resource industries are vital to the future well-being of our province.   What new economic measures can be introduced to ensure a efficiency? Please Help Ontario’s 2006 budget has to demonstrate clear fiscal measures that support the government’s conservation initiatives.  Here’s how you can help.  Tell me your favourite economic instrument in support of a conserver economy.  I will post some of the ideas to solicit further comment and compile a submission of the best ideas to submit to the Province early in the new year. 1.  Post a short comment or suggestion.  Use the comment form below to make a concise comment or suggestion (please be brief).  2.  Send me an e-mail..  If you have details on your suggestion, please send them to me in an e-mail to <a href="mailto:cco@web.ca"> cco@web.ca</a>  3.  Post a suggestion on the Ministry of Finance website.  The ministry wants your views on three questions: creating a new generation of economic growth, addressing external challenges and risks, and improving accountability.  Let them know how supporting growth in a conserver economy will improve economic resiliency against fluctuating resource prices, and how connecting overconsumption surcharges with subsidies for conservation will improve transparency and accountability.  <a href="http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/consultations/prebud06/feedback.html"> http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/consultations/prebud06/feedback.html</a> .  You can also make detailed submissions to  <a href="mailto:submissions@fin.gov.on.ca">submissions@fin.gov.on.ca</a> Many thanks, Chris Winter <x-tab>         </x-tab><x-tab>         </x-tab><x-tab>         </x-tab><x-tab>         </x-tab><x-tab>         </x-tab> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> Stand Up for Conservation <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/" eudora="autourl"> www.weconserve.ca</a> </body> </html>