Attention Members of Parliament and Senate;

We the undersigned urge Parliament to take immediate action to provide increased incentives that encourages the adoption of natural gas in our transportation system across Canada. Natural gas is abundant, more affordable and cleaner burning in comparison to other fossil fuels (diesel, gasoline) and its increased usage would help reduce carbon emissions from Canada's transportation network which is the second largest source of emissions in Canada. Natural gas is the only available resource that can meet current energy requirements while reducing carbon emissions and acting as a "bridge fuel" to a renewable energy future.

Canada is the 3rd largest producer of natural gas in the world, yet there are only about 11,500 natural gas vehicles on the roads in Canada. Recent advances in technology have unlocked vast reserves of natural gas in shale rock formations. These shale gas reserves have the potential to double the amount of accessible natural gas in Canada and increased reserves in the U.S. by as much as 40%. There is now enough natural gas in Canada to last several decades.

The time to act is now to provider the necessary incentives and framework to increase the necessary domestic use of natural gas in an effort to meet our energy needs and reduce carbon emissions.

I support alternative renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal and others. They are a vital to a clean energy future. However, these renewable energy sources can not meet our current energy requirements and it will require energy to build these future renewable energy sources. To meet meet current energy requirements while reducing CO2 emissions, Canada should provide incentives to increase the usage of domestic natural gas and reduce the use of oil and coal in our transportation and power generation systems.
Canada's natural gas industry is important to a strong economy in Canada. Natural gas is emerging as a key energy resource internationally, and while Canada can increase domestic consumption it will remain a net exporter to other countries that are increasing their use of natural gas in a greener energy mix.

Canada needs to:

• Increase the tax incentive for natural gas used as a transportation fuel;
• Increase and extend the tax credit for the additional cost when purchasing a dedicated natural gas vehicle;
• Increase and extend the tax credit for the installation of natural gas refueling pumps;
• Create incentives for the major car manufacturers to sell natural gas vehicles (which they already manufacture and sell internationally) in Canada.

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