Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s equivocation on climate change, abandonment of Africa, and unwillingness to help grow the global economy has left Canada standing in the way of global consensus at the G8 meeting in Italy this week, Liberal opposition critics said today.
“Canada is nowhere to be seen on more than just another missed photo-op,” said Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae. “On the global issues that matter – climate change, Africa and the global economy – Stephen Harper is going in the wrong direction.”
This week, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr. Harper is out of sync with other G8 countries because of its negligence in reducing carbon emissions and cutbacks to African aid, stalling a global economic growth strategy in wake of grim global economic forecasts.
Despite recognizing the “broad scientific view” that global temperatures must not rise two degrees above pre-industrial levels yesterday, Conservative Environment Minister Jim Prentice now says the goals are merely “aspirational” and do not necessitate a change in government policy.
“Canada still has very little to show in the way of a climate change policy, with the Conservatives backing away from their third climate plan in three years,” said Liberal Environment and Energy Critic David McGuinty. “The battle against climate change is a global effort, and the Harper government’s inaction has jeopardized that effort – we’re still the only major country without a real and substantive commitment to reducing emissions.”
Canada has drawn heavy criticism for abandoning its G8 commitment to provide development assistance to Africa, opting to link aid to trade relationships in Latin America instead of alleviating the most extreme forms of poverty.
“Abandoning our longstanding ties to Africa is a moral failure that continues to erode Canada’s once proud reputation as a leader on humanitarian assistance,” said Liberal International Cooperation Critic Glen Pearson. “The poorest countries have been the hardest hit by the global recession, yet the Prime Minister shows no interest in contributing to a growth strategy for the world.”
With global economic forecasts signalling a prolonged and a weaker recovery, Prime Minister Harper indicated that his government is focussed inward on meeting existing economic stimulus spending commitments. This admission comes following a finding by Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer that delayed Harper government economic stimulus programs haven’t spent the money authorized to them and won’t affect the economy until later this year.
“Stephen Harper shouldn’t be using his domestic economic failures as an excuse to renege on Canada’s global responsibilities,” said Liberal Finance Critic John McCallum. “The G8 summit was a failure for Stephen Harper and for Canada. Mr. Harper went in with no goals, contributed very little to the discussion, and leaves with Canada’s international reputation further tarnished.”
