thumbs down to environment in new budget

Just an hour ago, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's new budget focused on reducing debt, breaks for seniors and a brand new tax-free savings account - super for upper-middle class Canadians who have extra disposable income.

On the green front, the Conservatives will put $250 million over five years into "developing innovative, greener, more fuel-efficient vehicles" - I'm guessing to help our ailing auto industry.

But it's ending the eco auto rebate program that attracted so much attention in the last budget.

As for greenhouse gases, the plan sets out $250 million for a carbon capture and storage demonstration project, and research on the potential for carbon storage in Nova Scotia.

Public transit was given a nod with $500 million to spend on infrastructure - albeit only in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver - and $113 million will go towards a vague 'protecting consumers from toxins in products.'

Aaron Freeman, policy director for Environmental Defence, told CTV.ca the Conservatives seem to have no clear direction on the environment. "It's hard to know where this government is going on the environment. You had water and Great Lakes protection in the Throne Speech and yet there's nothing in this budget to back it up."

MPs will debate the budget in the coming days with the opposition parties getting their chance to propose amendments before the final vote on Tuesday.

Source: CTV.ca