As all parties begin debate today on the Liberal motion calling for a principled environmental policy and national climate change plan, the Harper government’s continued foot-dragging on environmental issues and failure to implement any meaningful environmental plan is in sharp focus. Here’s a summary of their record:
January 2006. The new Harper government cuts or freezes up to $6 billion in environmental programming upon coming into office.
October 5, 2006. Environment Minister Rona Ambrose says Canada will not participate in an international carbon market nor will it use public money to buy carbon credits in lieu of meeting its Kyoto targets.
October 19, 2006. Harper government tables Bill C-30: Canada’s Clean Air and Climate Change Act, representing a complete abandonment of Canada’s international commitment under the Kyoto Protocol. It was flatly rejected by every opposition party as merely a delay tactic. Independent analysis showed, if passed, Canada’s industrial emissions would have continued to grow.
April 2007. Environment Minister John Baird tables “Turning the Corner,” the Harper government’s second environmental plan in six months. This plan calls for emission reductions of 20 percent below 2006 levels by 2020, and between 50-65 percent by 2050. Every independent analysis of the plan finds that it lacks the capacity to meet its own targets.
June 2007. At the G8 Summit, environmentalists accuse Prime Minister Harper of running interference for the United States as Canada joins President Bush in refusing to sign on to binding GHG reduction targets unless large developing nations like China do the same.
December 2007. At the Bali Climate Change Conference, the Harper government is again accused of blocking Kyoto countries from reaching a renewed agreement on binding targets. Environment Minister John Baird bails on crucial negotiations, while Canadian negotiators erect obstacles to stop the rest of the world from acknowledging the importance of binding targets.
April 2008. Minister Baird announces that climate change regulations will be published in late 2008 and will come into force on Jan. 1, 2010. This commitment is later abandoned.
May 2008. The UN Climate Change Secretariat reportedly says Canada has been notified that it would be investigated for allegedly violating a Kyoto reporting requirement.
October 2008. Jim Prentice becomes Canada’s third Minister of the Environment in three years.
May 2009. Minister Prentice announces the third climate change plan in three years by indicating in a conference call with reporters that climate change regulations will not be developed until 2010 and may not take effect until 2016.
July 2009. The World Wildlife Fund’s 2009 Climate Scorecard ranks Canada last in terms of greenhouse gas emission growth and planned measures to reduce them. Canada’s Environmental Commissioner concludes that that the Conservative climate change plan will not come anywhere close to meeting its greenhouse gas reduction targets.
September 2009. Prime Minister Stephen Harper fails to show for a special meeting of world leaders at the United Nations to discuss climate change, opting instead to conduct a doughnut factory tour.
December 2009. At the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, a series of public relations disasters further embarrasses Canada on the world stage:
• A leaked Cabinet document reveals how the Conservatives plan to exempt the Oil Sands from GHG reduction targets, and how emissions would actually increase, not decrease.
• Instead of engaging in real action on climate change, the Harper Conservatives receive four consecutive “Fossil of the Day” awards – and are ultimately deemed “Fossil of the Year” with a citation as the nation leading the obstruction of a climate change agreement.
• The Prime Minister’s spokesperson attacks one of Canada’s most respected environmental leaders, Steven Guilbeault, wrongly accusing him of being responsible for an elaborate hoax news release and press conference announcing tough new emissions targets for Canada.
• The U.S. Secretary of Energy snubs Canada by refusing to participate in a hastily arranged photo-op that Canadian officials hope will “change the channel.”
January 30, 2010. The government files its official Copenhagen Accord papers that show Canada’s new goal is 17 percent, down from the previous 20 percent. The plan shows the government still has no plan on how to reach that new target and at least one environmental group has predicted it will result in an increase in emissions.
March 4, 2010. The Conservatives’ announce significant amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) in their budget that would give the environment minister power to exclude thousands of projects from having to undergo a comprehensive review of their overall impact on ecosystems.
March 31, 2010. The government cancels one of the most popular government programs for homeowners, the ecoENERGY program that allowed Canadians to receive a rebate for greening their homes using energy efficient products and services – even though experts agree that improved energy efficiency can make the biggest contribution to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
