Ontario Hansard - 10-May-2006

RENEWABLE FUELS

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): My question is to the Premier. In 2005, you announced a $520-million ethanol growth fund toward capital projects that would increase the number of ethanol production plants in Ontario. You stated, "This fund will improve the air we breathe by encouraging ... the growing demand for cleaner-burning fuels." The application closed on November 10, 2005.

My question is, when will you be announcing that the successful applicants of the ethanol growth fund have received their funding, so that the companies can begin to build the facilities that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the people of Ontario?

Ms. Scott: Ethanol production facilities are not built overnight; it would take at least a year. That would put it into May 2007, at the earliest, that we'd be having the ribbon-cutting and the photo op.

Premier, you are banking on the recipients of the ethanol growth fund to meet your target of 5% ethanol content in fuel by January 2007, so you need to get this promised funding flowing to these companies today. We know that if hot air could reduce greenhouse gases, you would breathe easier on that side of the House for sure. You're spending a great deal of time --

Ms. Scott: Everyone take a deep breath.

Having spent all your time congratulating each other on your incredible contribution to the environment, you hoped that no one would notice you haven't delivered yet again. So I ask you, is the ethanol growth fund just another Liberal broken promise?