More Harper hypocrisy and climate change double talk

'The Harper government is not serious about doing anything significant to ensure a clean and green future for Canadians.'

Ottawa (4 March 2008) - No longer a climate change skeptic denying that the planet is warming, or so we are led to believe, Prime Minister Stephen Harper now claims that climate change matters and has become a top government priority. However, his government's actions say otherwise.

Evading real action, his Conservative minority government has given Canada a new budget with no mention of climate change. It contains no targets and no regulation on emissions. Instead, it maintains a business-as-usual approach to the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) believes the Harperites must act now to implement deep emissions reductions. NUPGE's top five recommendations urge parliament to develop a comprehensive plan that moves Canada to a low carbon economy while protecting workers and their communities.

In February, Bill C-377 was introduced to the standing committee on the environment and sustainable development with the goal of establishing emissions targets for 2020 and 2050. Demonstrating their disdain for setting serious targets, the Conservatives staged a filibuster during the clause by clause amendment stage of the bill. Obviously, the government hopes to kill the bill before it reaches the house.

The federal government continues to lag further behind the rest of the world and behind some Canadian provinces and cities in the drive to cool the planet. Sadly, these recent events show that the Harper government is not serious about doing anything significant to ensure a clean and green future for Canadians.

NUPGE's new Just Transition to Green Jobs pamphlet further highlights key actions the federal government needs to take for the environmental safety and economic security of each community. If Harper was serious we would see action in these areas, and a coordinated approach to tackling crucial issues about our future, rather than the evasive inaction of recent weeks. NUPGE

More information:
? Our Green Future: Confronting Climate Change – A just transition to green jobs
? Go Green Now: Top 5 Ways to Get Government to Confront the Climate Crisis