Angry in the Great White North

Green Party leader Elizabeth May highlights a company that has made great strides in helping the environment. But in doing so, she has highlighted the failure of the Liberal Party and of Stephane Dion in making progress on the environment.

Of course, none of that is obvious. You have to research the story yourself to know the truth.

Here is what Green Party leader Elizabeth May said to Ottawa Chamber of Commerce:

Speaking before a crowd of about 100 people at an Ottawa Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Ms. May said the climate has changed drastically since the Industrial Revolution and that a massive amount of carbon dioxide now resides in the atmosphere.

"How do we have a whole societal shift? We want to put Canada and every other nation on a sustainable path. It (climate change) is not just bad for the environment, it's bad for business."

She pointed out several Ottawa companies that are doing their part to cut back on polluting while continuing to operate competitive businesses.

Ms. May cited Hillary's Dry Cleaning, which captures toxic gases used to clean clothes and recycles them, as an example.

Hillary's Dry Cleaning did not hear the word of the Elizabeth May's Green Party and make the "societal change". This "shift" happened 15 years ago, in 1992:

In 1992, Hillary's Dry Cleaning of Ottawa undertook a number of initiatives which not only reduced waste and helped to preserve the environment, but also resulted in cost savings.

Hillary's installed equipment that eliminated the transfer unit to dry clothes and installed a water circulation unit on the roof at a cost of approximately $500,000. This system will result in the virtual elimination of solvent and wastewater waste. Also, solvent bills have dropped from $5,000 per month to $10 per month and water bills have decreased from $3,000 per month to $200 per month.

To address packaging waste associated with their service, Hillary's instituted the "Hanger Valet" (for $0.43) for storing and returning hangers and a reusable garment bag (for $11.50). A financial incentive was given to employees who sold the reusable garment bags ($1 per bag) and a discount was offered to customers ($1 off dry cleaning when reusable bag is used). Over 10,000 garment bags and 5,000 hanger valets have been distributed in the last two years, resulting in 208,000 fewer plastic bags and 20,000 fewer hangers used.

Hillary's also operates a "Wear and Share" program which collects and drycleans used clothing. The clothing is distributed to needy families. Since the program has been operating, it has produced about 500 pounds of clothing each week! Hillary's also collects and dry cleans 1,500 pieces of winter clothing for needy families through their Snow Suit Drive each year.

In 1992, Elizabeth May was the executive director of the Sierra Club. Stephane Dion was teaching organizational analysis and the University of Montreal. The prime minister was, of course, Brian Mulroney, of those free trading Progressive Conservatives. His environment minister at the time was none other than Jean Charest, currently the premier of Quebec.

What's wrong? Couldn't find an example of a dry cleaner who took on a major environmental initiative between 1993 and 2006?

Guess not. But we're still to think Stephane Dion's Liberals are the party to save the environment? I suppose if you don't bother mentioning dates, it's an easier sell.