Here’s what he had to say:

“With respect to the field of buildings and energy-efficiency, the
federal budget was disappointing.
At a time when we face the twin problems of global warming and a future in
which energy supplies will wane
and prices will rise, Harper’s government gives money to household
renovations like new bathrooms
and kitchens.

To be strategically focused on sustaining our country, and ensuring
Canadians continue to have the
opportunity to heat their homes during the cold of winter, the government
should have put this money
toward Canadians who are renovating old homes, or building new homes more
responsibly. Taxpayers
shouldn’t be subsidizing the purchase of new carpets. We should be
building better homes now. Homes that
will be more affordable to operate, less burdensome on our environment -
homes that will make our
grandchildren proud.

The government had an excellent opportunity to accomplish forward-looking
goals with respect to houses in
Canada, and they missed this entirely. It is disappointing, that only one
week after President Obama
expressed his dedication to a planet that is threatened by our use of
energy, Prime Minister Harper failed
to deliver the same hope, the same passion and the same foresight.”

Professor Pressnail is available for comment. To arrange an interview
please contact:
K.D. Pressnail,
an Engineering Professor in Building Science and Civil
Engineering from the University of Toronto

It’s one of those days Canadians seem to dread every year, budget day. What will it say? How will it affect me?

As we enter a recession Canadians were even more concerned with the budget. Prior to the holiday break an alliance was formed between the Liberals, the Bloc, and the NDP that threatened to take down the Conservative Government. With the presentation of the budget yesterday both the NDP and the Bloc said that they would reject the budget, but no word from the Liberals.

The Daily Exchange published a good summary from the budget found here.

It’s all in the shoes

Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, delivered the budget message in a pair of work boots. His message was if it’s designed we will build it. It’s time to put shovels in the ground, but of course there is a catch, Municipalities and Provincial governments are required to match the funding in order to receive it. Although the Provinces may be able to do this it will be next to impossible for the municipalities.

Although I haven’t had a chance to get into the budget in depth (but will try to tonight) I didn’t see enough about ‘green’ initiatives. What about tax incentives for reducing your carbon footprint? What about incentives for local farmers? (I’d rather have fruits and vegetables from Ontario rather than China).

Canada vs The US: who will be ‘greener?’

Just south of us President Obama has been asking republicans for advice on developing a budget. Why didn’t Harper go to the Liberals and ask for advice? There would have been more ‘green’ initiatives. It will be interesting to compare what the US and Canada decide to do with their budgets, either way they both come with large deficits.

• Tax Cuts: for people who are using active transportation, public transportation, green initiatives in construction, energy reducing gadgets … basically anything that helps the environment
• Carbon Tax: Just like Dion proposed here in Canada, Barack will likely tax those who are huge polluters. I can see this being like the tax bracket system, where the more you pollute the higher the percentage of tax
• Subsidies for Clean Energy: I think Obama will support research and development ideas that encourage sustainable practices

Have any more ideas as to what Obama might do?

Today will decide if America moves forward to preserve our precious ‘green’ earth or if they stagnate, or worse regress, and continue to harm the weakening biosphere.

It comes down to Obama vs McCain, preserve vs harm ~ I guess you know who I’d be voting for if I lived in the US. Obama is forward thinking, is fair, can relate to the American public and is necessary for change. McCain is a dinosaur, short-sighted and given that his days on earth might be numbered he likely doesn’t care what holds for the environment long term. And if something tragic ever happened to either candidate I’m definitely on side for Biden as president vs Palin. Can you imagine the first bill she would pass would likely that every woman should learn to do that ‘pageant’ walk!

Our environment, plants, animals, and humans, is in danger. Obama will put it on the endangered species list and McCain, like Bush, will continue to eat away at.