A crucial part of reducing pollution and fighting global warming must be substantial new investments in renewable energy solutions.

We need to unite Canadians behind a strategy for our country's long-term energy security. We will implement a comprehensive New Energy Economy Strategy. It will be developed through consultation and a cooperative effort of all stakeholders from coast to coast to coast, including, but not restricted to, the federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal governments, unions and energy providers.

We must plan now for a future where our energy consumption is drastically reduced and where all our energy comes from renewable sources. We need to make sure that our energy policies put the needs of Canadians first.

Here's how Jack Layton and the New Democrats will help Canadians succeed in the New Energy Economy:

Make Canadian energy security and environmental standards priorities in trade negotiations, including putting energy front and centre in any new trade negotiations with the United States.

Introduce new financial incentives for clean power, including from solar, wind, water, biomass and other renewable sources for electricity production and from industrial co-generation and small-scale, sustainable community facilities.

Establish the Canadian Renewable Energy Agency. The agency will be responsible for encouraging and developing renewable energy in Canada. It will:

• Work cooperatively with all stakeholders towards meeting 35 percent of Canada's energy needs with renewable energy by 2020, including hard targets for renewable fuels, biomass, wind power and other renewables.
• Provide funding for developing and supporting renewable energy programs.

Stop the massive tax breaks and subsidies to the tar sands, big oil and gas companies, and nuclear power.

Halt any new tar sands development until carbon emissions are capped, significant environmental and health impacts are addressed, and protected areas are set aside.

• We will improve and enforce appropriate federal regulation of all environmental impacts – air, water, land, fish and wildlife – that arise from the exploitation of Canada's oil and gas reserves.
• Because the need for oil and gas will not disappear overnight, we will discourage bulk exports of our unprocessed resources to the US and China, and encourage responsible upgrading, refining and petrochemical manufacturing here in Canada. This will keep the economic benefits and jobs in Canada and temper the unchecked exploitation of our resources.

Remove bureaucratic barriers to the development, manufacture, and licensing of zero emission vehicles in Canada. In consultation with industry and stakeholders, identify new measures to improve energy efficiency for automobiles.

Increase support for rail transport – including developing high-speed trains in urban corridors such as Edmonton-Calgary and Windsor-Quebec City.

Begin a discussion with the provinces and territories for an East-West Renewable Energy Grid. This nation-building and climate action exercise needs federal financial support and leadership to assist provinces in building the renewable energy infrastructure that will transition Canada away from high pollution and nonrenewable energy.