No Easy Acid Rain Answer, Reagan Tells Canadians

President Reagan told Canada’s Parliament today there are “no quick and easy answers” for acid rain--which he acknowledged for the first time is harming the North American environment--but said the United States is attacking the problem with a $2.5-billion pollution-control program.

Reagan made no mention of the treaty suggested by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, which would commit the United States and Canada to cut acid rain pollution in half during the 1990s.

The United States argues that acid rain controls on affected plants would be so expensive that it would be foolhardy to issue requirements until one technology is shown to be the best way of dealing with the airborne pollution.

Millions of Jobs Affected

“Literally thousands of firms and millions of jobs will be affected by whatever steps we take on this problem--so there are no quick and easy answers,” Reagan said.

“But, working together, we have made an important start, and I am convinced that, as in the past, our disputes will bring us closer as we find a mutual accord, our differences will become only another occasion for cooperation.”

Earlier, Reagan was asked why the United States would not agree to a treaty, in view of charges that acid rain is hurting Canada’s environment.

“Well, we’re not helping ours, either,” he replied.

Reagan has pledged to seek a congressional appropriation for a $2.5-billion program of demonstration projects of new pollution control technologies over the next five years. Industry is supposed to match the government’s money.

Asked about the research effort, Mulroney said Sunday that “more research can’t do any harm but what is required is a treaty between Canada and the United States to provide for a specified time frame during which there shall be reductions in these emissions that are killing our lakes and streams.”

Reagan’s address came at the end of his overnight visit here for talks with Mulroney on acid rain, trade and other disputes between their two nations.

Deadline in Fall

Facing a deadline this fall, U.S. and Canadian negotiators are working on a free-trade agreement that would eliminate most remaining trade barriers.

Reagan noted that any agreement would have to be approved by Parliament and the Congress.

“A comprehensive, balanced agreement that provides open trade and investment on a comprehensive basis--an agreement in which both sides are winners--that is our goal,” he said.

As for the United States, Reagan said, “We shall commit ourselves and the resources of our Administration to good faith negotiations that will make this proposal a reality.

“And on this, the Canadian people and the members of Parliament have my word,” he added.