Backing for ethanol boost evaporates

Corn farmers counting on a big federal push for biofuels could soon be disappointed as, one by one, opposition parties are pulling their support for government legislation boosting ethanol content in Canadian gasoline.

Citing concern over soaring food prices, the Bloc Québécois is confirming it will vote against the bill when it comes to a final House of Commons vote at third reading. The sudden reversal is particularly unusual, given that the party voted for the bill as recently as May 1.

The Bloc’s move comes after the NDP also pulled its support for the bill at the very late stages of the parliamentary process.

Those twin decisions leave the fate of the legislation and possibly the future of Canada’s corn-based biofuels industry in the hands of the Liberals - and they, too, are having doubts. …more>>