Canada: Rule-breaking Nation

As Young Greens we share the frustration of Canadian population regarding the latest comments by Prime Minister Harper on climate change.  Speaking during an APEC meeting in Singapore, Harper basically refused to take action on climate change until everyone else does too.  "Once again, our government is playing roulette with our future," said Green Leader Elizabeth May. "Waiting for others to act while we do nothing is incredibly shameful."

Prime Minister Harper has said that he will only be satisfied with full global participation in any post-Kyoto climate change deal.  In essence, Harper is calling for a repeat performance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which was signed by both developed and developing countries in 1992.  He cites worries that some countries may gain economic advantage by not participating in a climate change deal, despite prominent scientists' pronouncements that the consequences of not acting to reduce greenhouse gases will be economically devastating.

"Prime Minister Harper is continually insisting on rules for everyone and yet Canada is the one that has been breaking the rules,".

Recently speaking at the APEC meeting in Singapore, Prof. Tim Flannery of the Copenhagen Climate Council, reported, "Canada is by far the biggest defaulter on its Kyoto obligations on a tonnage basis."

We urge the Canadian government to take the Copenhagen climate negotiations seriously and attend with an attitude of cooperation for the good of the planet.  Over forty world leaders will be at the COP15 high level meetings; however, Canada is expected to be represented by Environment Minister Jim Prentice.  A familiar refrain, Harper has said he will attend only if other world leaders do too.

Canadians deserve the truth.  Canada's government is not part of the solution. It is part of the problem. We are facing a global crisis and our leaders are pointing fingers and hiding behind faulty economic arguments.

It is one of the only countries that ha snot stood by its commitments for Kyoto protocol. The Youth need to express their resentment and impress upon the government to act........