With Canada placing dead last among G8 countries for fighting climate change, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is warning the Harper government not to stand in the way of a new international climate change deal.

“The Harper government is jeopardizing international climate change efforts leading up to Copenhagen,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Unless the government changes course immediately, the consequences of blocking this deal will be very real for Canadians.”

“While climate change threatens us all, the Harper government’s stubborn inaction is leading Canada towards painful environmental trade sanctions and a costly loss of international prestige.”

With new emission-reduction targets set to be agreed upon in Copenhagen later this year, the United Kingdom’s former Chief Scientific Adviser is sounding the alarm that Canada is blocking the process. This comes as the World Wildlife Fund’s 2009 Climate Scorecard, released yesterday, ranked Canada last in terms of greenhouse gas emission growth and planned measures to reduce them.

“Minister Prentice has lost all remaining environmental integrity, having scrapped Canada’s third climate change plan in three years,” said Liberal environment critic David McGuinty. “Copenhagen demands a real commitment to fighting climate change, and fast.”

The Harper government recently broke their promise to have emission reduction regulations in place next year. Further, Canada’s environmental commissioner has found that that the Conservative climate change plan will not come anywhere close to meeting its greenhouse gas reduction targets.

“Canada’s international reputation is on the line,” said Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae. “Reaching consensus at Copenhagen is a major international priority. With the United States now on board, it’s Canada’s Conservative government who stands in the way.”