Canada may not ratify Kyoto Protocol, official suggests
( 2002-03-16 09:30 ) (7 )

Canadian Natural Resources Minister Dhaliwal has suggested a decision on the ratification of Kyoto Protocol would depend on Canada's ability to meet its targets, the costs attached and the impacts on industry and different regions, local press reported Friday.

"We have to make sure we do it right and that's what the government's intention is, to make sure we have all the information, have an analysis and work with the provinces and then make a decision on whether we can ratify or not," Dhaliwal told the Globe 2002 conference on business and the environment in Vancouver Thursday.

Ratification will not take place without full consultation with territories and provinces and affected industries and ordinary Canadians, he said.

The Kyoto Protocol, signed by Canada and 185 other countries, commits them to cutting emissions that contribute to global warming 6 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

However, the minister announced eight new projects worth 7.7 million Canadian dollars (about 5 million US dollars) Thursday aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the prime suspect in global warming.

Ottawa has no deadline for ratifying Kyoto Protocol but Dhaliwal said he thinks a decision is needed by the end of this year "because I think for our industries we create uncertainty."

The ratification of Kyoto Protocol has been a political hot potato in Canada as several provinces with energy-intensive industries oppose ratifying the agreement because of the potential cost of meeting its goals.