Greenhouse targets will mean sacrifices: Beauchamp

Quebecers can expect to pay more as the government looks for ways to further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the province's Environment Minister, Line Beauchamp, said Thursday.

Beauchamp said the government would hold public consultations as it seeks to reduce the province's greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent before 2020.

Quebecers already emit fewer greenhouse gases per capita compared to other Canadians, thanks mainly to the province's reliance on hydroelectricity.

For this reason, reducing levels even further depends on changing Quebecers' personal habits, Beauchamp said.

The minister is proposing an increase in the province's carbon tax — meaning the cost of gasoline and home heating oil will rise.

Changing personal habits

Beauchamp's proposals are being applauded by climate change expert Stephen Guilbault of environmental group Equiterre.

"We'll see some fundamental changes in our society. And basically, the name of the game will be efficiency," said Guilbault.

The increase in the carbon tax will force people to change their habits, Guilbault said.

"We will use less and less petroleum. This resource is going to become more and more expensive. Some experts are talking about $200 a barrel in the near future, in the next couple of years. So driving big SUVs all over the place will be a thing of the past in the very near future."

Consultations on the issue will be held at the National Assembly Oct. 22 to Nov. 4.

The move comes as Premier Jean Charest prepares to travel to Copenhagen as an observer to the UN conference on climate change in December.