OTTAWA - Provinces and territories say they are being kept in the dark about a $1.5 billion eco-Trust and Clean Air Fund announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week that's supposed to be destined for their coffers.
Anne O'Hagan, a spokeswoman for Ontario Environment Minister Laurel Broten, said the province had not been consulted about the new climate and clean air fund, and has no idea how it will work.
She noted that the previous Liberal government in Ottawa pledged $538 million to help Ontario retire its coal-fired power plants, and the province has been trying in vain to determine whether that promise will be kept.
Joe Gillis, a spokesman for the Nova Scotia government, said it had no details about the Eco-Trust and was simply hoping for the best.
"Obviously we're interested in any funding opportunities. We would expect they'd come through for us no different than they came through for Quebec. We'll be happy if it's substantial like Quebec got, that's for sure."
Harper announced the fund last week, saying it was contingent on passage of the federal budget. He said the funding is also intended to address the so-called fiscal imbalance, and will be distributed to all provinces on a per capita basis. But it is not clear what conditions might be attached to the cash.
"We're really interested in finding out more details about the program, finding out what the federal government's expectations are in return for the funding," said Sherri-Dawn Annett, spokeswoman for Alberta Environment Department.
Alberta already has its own climate plan, and has warned that it will not consider itself bound by federal regulations.
"We're willing to come to the table and we're willing to see what the federal government has to offer. Other than that, we'll go ahead with our leadership."
There is speculation that the federal plan was crafted to win Bloc Quebecois support for the federal budget, and to woo Quebec voters in case of a spring election.
But Bloc Quebecois environment critic Bernard Bigras said his party does not consider $350 million anywhere near adequate to resolve the fiscal imbalance.
Nathan Cullen of the New Democratic Party said it's illogical to allocate money for fighting climate change on a per capita basis, since some provinces produce far more pollution than others.
"It makes no sense, it's pure politics," Cullen said.
Mike Van Soelen, a spokesman for Environment Minister John Baird, said Monday evening that the Harper government is in discussions "with all provinces on eco-Trust."
"Some discussions are taking place at the highest levels," Van Soelen said.
