Delay tactics

CBC reports that the Cons' strategy for dealing with greenhouse gas emissions looks eerily like that of their predecessors, consisting of a multiple-year delay to allow for yet another massive round of consultations while emissions continue to grow in the meantime:

The federal government could hold consultations for up to five years before it finalizes new regulations for limiting greenhouse gas emissions, CBC news has learned.

And lest there be any doubt who's happy with the move:

David MacInnis, president of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association in Calgary, said he's pleased to hear the government is considering holding consultations.

"I think, at the end of the day, they'll be able to come out with something where everyone buys into the process," he said.

Presumably part of the reason for any delay would be to present the prospect of future environmental action by the Cons to induce voters to give them more time in office. But that could easily backfire, as the Cons will likely be seen only as continuing a decade of Lib dithering on the file. And by trying to push any action back, the Cons are making it likely that a party with a genuine desire to tackle the issue could put legislation in place long before PMS finishes asking his oil buddies whether they're ready to accept a small part of the cost of reducing the emissions resulting from their industry.