The Oil Drum: Canada

Barb Isman, president of the Canola Council of Canada, expects the government to put forward regulations requiring five per cent renewable content in Canadian gasoline and diesel fuel by 2010, as promised in the Conservative election platform.

She said the package will include a $200-million program under which farmers can obtain part ownership in biodiesel plants expected to sprout in coming years.

Isman expects the regulations to state that two per cent of fuels be biodiesel, for which canola can be a prime ingredient.

She said the measures are welcome but will not be sufficient to kickstart the renewables industry unless there are tax changes in the next federal budget to make Canadian farmers competitive with those in the United States and Europe.