painting liberals a pastel green

I came across this editorial from the Sudbury Star on Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's new pesticide ban:

Earlier this month, McGuinty mused about the idea of banning plastic bags at liquor stores. But there will be no ban on plastic bags at grocery stores. Users are being asked to participate in a voluntary reduction program instead.

So it wasn't until McGuinty announced that the province will ban the use of pesticides in many, but not all, places that he showed environmental gumption, but even then, the initiatives pales, because golf courses and the agricultural industry are exempt from the ban.

McGuinty promised the pesticide ban during last election campaign because of potential health hazards to children and pregnant women, which could lead to disabilities and birth defects. In announcing the ban, the premier waxed about the right of children to play in the grass without being placed in danger from pesticides.

But many municipalities in Ontario already have such a ban, and many businesses have already begun reducing or even yanking pesticides from their shelves.

And while we can understand a possible exemption for some agricultural uses, especially in emergency situations where possible crop damage can take place, it's hard to justify an exemption for golf courses. If we can live with dandelions in our front yard, we can live with them in divot damaged fairways.

If McGuinty wants to go genuine green, he could look to the west coast, where British Columbia's Liberal government announced in February that it will introduce the nation's first carbon tax. It will apply to virtually all fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, coal, propane, and home heating fuel. And although it is a relatively small tax, it is bolder than anything McGuinty has tried so far.

In the great Kyoto debate, Alberta has played the bad guy because that province is loath to do anything that will affect its booming oil industry. But Ontario has so far refused to look at a carbon tax because it could be detrimental to its fragile industrial sector, especially the auto industry, in which the government has invested so much money.

Suddenly, Alberta's stand becomes a bit more understandable. But if McGuinty wants to turn forest green, he'll follow B.C.'s lead.