Federal Environment Minister stated the government’s plans to implement forced cuts to industrial greenhouse gas emissions will be delayed until the United States implements similar reductions. Now that Canada will be co-ordinating with the United States, any forced cuts will be staggered over a four-year time period beginning in 2012. As such federally regulated cuts to greenhouse gases will not come into effect on January 1, 2010 as the government previously indicated. This decision was made with a view to preserving industrial competitiveness, protecting jobs and protecting investment in Canada. Additionally, the Minister anticipates the complex regulatory framework will take most of 2010 to develop, making a 2012 start date not that far in the future.