Stephane Dion understands the links between the environment and the economy

One of the most critical issues today is having a clear understanding of the important links between the environment and the economy.

With every passing day it is clearer that the commercial products which are going to have increased sales will be those which provide for better stewardship of the environment, and those which are produced using processes which provide for better care of the environment. This is not just because more and more people are concerned with the environment. It is also because increasingly governments (provincial, federal and indeed governments around the world) are making environmental stewardship a priority, and are using regulations to require environmentally better products and services. This trend will continue. The pressures from all sides to take better care of our planet will increase not decrease.

And not taking good care of the environment involves huge costs and liabilities. The cleanup costs associated with the Sherridon mine site in northern Manitoba, a contaminated site in Brandon, and the algal blooms on Lake Winnipeg are examples of this. We need to be good stewards so we do not pass these costs and liabilities on to future generations. We also need to be good stewards of the environment so we do not have the associated human health problems associated with poor environmental stewardship. Indeed, good environmental infrastructure (clean water and groundwater), are vital to a good economy. Tourists will not come to polluted waters.

Stephane Dion, one of the federal leadership candidates, came through Winnipeg in late June. He has spent time as the federal Minister of the Environment. He has discussed environmental issues with corporate leaders across Canada. He understands the links between the environment and the economy. He understands why it is so important to see the environment and the economy as partners, not as antagonists.