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•Th e IFP• H alton H ills, Thursday, D ecem ber 5, 2013 7 GEORGETOWN'S Best Kept Secret! 46 Armstrong Ave www.MiskasWoodProducts.com Casings Baseboards Crown Mouldings 416 - 220 - 2741 • Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 We handle all insurance work. • your window & door professionals • 341 Guelph St., Unit 3 Georgetown 905.873.0236 www.buy-wise.ca info@buy-wise.ca • awarded readers choice 20 times • Visit our showroom COMMENT Reducing GHG emissions Recently, countries around the world, including Canada, met in Po- land at the UN conference on climate change to continue negotiations to- ward a new global treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Canada's position is that any new treaty should include all major GHG emitters. The Kyoto Protocol, a pre- vious treaty which Canada withdrew from, did not include ma- jor emitters like the United States, China or India. The federal government has committed to reduce GHG emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020. In order to meet this objec- tive, we are implementing a sector-by-sector regulatory plan to reduce these emis- sions. We have already taken action to reduce emissions in the transportation sector, the largest source of GHG emissions in Canada, accounting for 25% of total emissions. The new passenger car and light truck efficiency standards are ex- pected to reduce fuel consumption by 50 per cent by 2025. The government has also introduced tough regulations to reduce emissions in Canada's coal sector, becoming one of the first major economies to ban the construction of traditional coal-fired electricity generation units. However, more action needs to be taken and the government is expect- ed to introduce regulations to reduce emissions in the oil and gas sector. Ideally, whatever form the plans to reduce emissions take-- whether in the form of regulation or carbon pric- ing-- it is important that these plans not distort the marketplace. In other words, internalizing the pricing of car- bon in our economy should be done in a way that is consistent across eco- nomic sectors. In the interest of national unity, it should also be consistent across the regions of the country. However, in practice, cost- ly distortions in the market- place do occur. The new wind farm projects in Wellington- Halton Hills, a result of the Province's Green Energy Act, are a very visible example of the market distortions that can take place. Internalizing the pricing of carbon in our economy in a way that is consistent across eco- nomic sectors, rather than distorting the marketplace through subsidies, should be the goal when reducing GHG emissions. As the world works toward a new global treaty to reduce GHG emis- sions, governments in Canada should keep this in mind as they roll out GHG reduction plans for the rest of the Ca- nadian economy. --Michael Chong is the MP for Wellington-Halton Hills MICHAEL CHONG The way we were...was unavailable this week The second annual Chase the Dream Motorcycle Ride and Show held at the Terra Cotta Inn in August raised $45,000 for the Chase Galea Foundation which provides funds for Chase Galea, a six-year-old local boy, who lives with cerebral palsy and a severe hearing loss. Funds from the event continue to support the Galea family in providing Chase with his much- needed Conductive Education Therapy and other necessary medical supplies and equip- ment. In addition, Chase's progress is now being monitored by both Erinoakkids and the Shriner's Hospital, whose ongoing research will benefit other children with cerebral palsy. At a dinner held recently at the Terra Cotta Inn, Dave Heydon, event co-ordinator, presented Chase's parents, Shawn and Rachel, with a cheque for $45,000-- 30 per cent higher than funds raised last year. Next year's event will be held August 24 at the Terra Cotta Inn. To view Chase's progress, pictures of the 2013 event and details of next year's event visit their website at www.chasethedream.ca. On hand for the presentation were, back row, from left, Shawn Galea, George Farrugia, Dave Hayden, Ed Palmer and Carl Minor. Front, from left, Marian Heydon and Rachel Galea. Submitted photo Got a photo you want to share? Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca. Chasing the dream 'Canadians need to have governance that is as optimistic and broad-minded as we are ourselves.' --Justin Trudeau see story pg. 1 From our readers 'Quote unquote' Dear editor, Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! The countdown is over, the lights are on and the magic of Light up the Hills runs from Dec. 1 until Jan. 3, 2014. Be sure to visit our spectacular dis- plays in all three of our locations- Acton, Glen Williams and Georgetown. Such a large community event doesn't happen without the support, enthusiasm and energy of hundreds of people. Thank you to the volunteers who work all year to prepare for December, to our partners at the ignition events who provide suste- nance and entertainment, to the sponsors and donors who support us in donations and services, to the Town of Halton Hills, the Acton and Glen Williams teams, to this newspaper for their always excellent coverage of our event and to our special guests on Dec. 1, especially Santa. If you haven't experienced Light up the Hills events, mark your new calendars now for Dec. 1, 2014. It is heartwarming to see what a community can do when we all work together for a common goal, to see you smile and feel the warmth of Hal- ton Hills's small town community spirit. Merry Christmas to all. Gerry Kentner, chair, Light up the Hills Letter: Light up the Hills brightens town until Jan. 3 Letter: Service with a smile makes customer's day Dear editor, Are you a morning person? I'm not but I'm starting to be and part of the reason is because of Tamara, who works the morning shift at the Acton Tim Horton's drive-thru. Every single time she has served me, she's smiling and is always friendly. She's also fast, accurate and does a great job. So even though I may not be having a great morning or I may be distracted when I'm driving through to get my coffee, this one person, that I don't know, reminds me to look up, smile and just be friendly to those around you. Thank you Tamara. Lisa Marshall, Acton