View larger image Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gestures while speaking at his inaugural in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Jan. 5, 2007. (AP / Rich Pedroncelli)
View larger image Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks to the media outside of his official residence following a Cabinet shuffle in Ottawa Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007.(CP / Jonathan Hayward)
Ottawa sends Schwarzenegger invitation to visit
CTV.ca News Staff
The Prime Minister's Office has sent Arnold Schwarzenegger an invitation to visit, CTV News has learned, at a time when both the California governor and Canada's Conservatives are focusing on the environment.
Schwarzenegger, who drives a hydrogen-powered Hummer, has made the environment a central issue in his state.
"I have also proposed that California be the first in the world to develop a low carbon fuel standard that leads us away from fossil fuels," he recently announced.
The former bodybuilder and Hollywood star wants energy efficient cars, and his goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is higher than what Prime Minister Stephen Harper has proposed.
Schwarzenegger wants an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050
Harper promises a 65 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2003 levels by 2050
Opposition parties in Canada say that Schwarzenegger sets an excellent example.
"Certainly 'The Terminator' isn't somebody who is satisfied with half-measures," said NDP Leader Jack Layton. "So I think it's good because we don't need half-measures right now, we need aggressive and strong action."
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said the invitation could be a sign that the Conservatives will step up their environmental plans.
"I hope it means they are serious about taking the kind of actions that Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking in California on climate change," she said.
Oil extracted from the Alberta tar sands might not pass California's new clean-fuel standards.
But John Baird, who recently replaced embattled Rona Ambrose as the environment minister, said the government is increasingly attentive to climate change concerns.
"We're concerned about the huge climate change challenges," said Baird. "The erratic weather we've had this winter is a huge wake-up call."
A spokesperson from Schwarzenegger's office said he's hoping to lead a trade mission to Canada soon, but a date has yet to be finalized.
With a report by CTV's Rosemary Thompson
Arnold Schwarzenegger, best known for his role in ''The Terminator'' and being the Govenor of California (which earned him the nickname ''The Governator''), has been invited by the Prime Minister's Office to visit Canada.

Schwarzenegger is reported to have higher expectations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions than Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"I hope it means they are serious about taking the kind of actions that Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking in California on climate change," said Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May.

Environment minister John Baird said he and the Canadian government are concerned about the  climate.

"We're concerned about the huge climate change challenges," said Baird. "The erratic weather we've had this winter is a huge wake-up call."

The Canadian PM and "The Governator" first met when they went to Mexico for the inauguration of Felipe Calderón, the president of Mexico.

No date has been set as to when the meeting will happen.