Opposition Parties Pass Bill Forcing Gov’t To Respect Kyoto Targets

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has apparently decided to avoid a possible constitutional conundrum after the opposition parties overpowered the minority Conservatives, passing a bill that would force the party in power to respect Canada’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.

Harper wasn’t present for Wednesday’s vote in the House of Commons which his party lost 161-113.

The bill was authored by Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez and it calls on the government to live up to Canada’s commitment to Kyoto emissions targets, produce a plan to meet those targets within 60 days, and set strict punishments for those who don’t comply once it’s approved by the Senate.

It’s widely expected that the Upper House will approve the legislation.

Some Conservatives had hinted that they would simply ignore the law and would be prepared to face any lawsuits or a non-confidence motion that could spark an early election.

But on Thursday Harper said he’d abide by the legislation, if and when it’s approved by the Senate, and added that he still thinks the law is toothless.

“Of course, if and when that becomes law, the government would respect it,” Harper said.
  
“I would point out that the bill has no plan of action in it. The bill gives the government no authority to spend any money to actually have a plan of action.”

The PM says his government will introduce a national regulatory system for greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that will preserve jobs and the economy.

The Conservatives have said that the Kyoto targets are unattainable for Canada. The treaty calls for a six percent emissions drop from 1990 levels by 2012. Emissions actually rose by nearly 30 percent when the Liberals were in power.

“This is a don’t-worry-be-happy bill that says, `Table a plan in 60 days,’ ” Environment Minister John Baird said, referring to the Liberal-led bill.
  
“If it was so easy, I suspect the Liberals would have done it when they had the opportunity.”

Baird has said that trying to meet Kyoto targets could cripple the Canadian economy.

The Conservatives have rolled out some green initiatives, including tax credits for public transit users, $1.5 billion in spending for provincial environment programs, and rebates for homeowners who invest in green renovations and retrofits.

The Tories were criticized for taking the Liberal EnerGuide program they cancelled, repackaging it and selling it back to Canadians as their idea.

  • As the party leaders fight to prove who’s the greenest, they’re reportedly also working on serious preparations for a possible spring election. Liberal leader Stephane Dion says he doesn’t want an early vote but will be ready if it happens. And there are reports that the Conservatives’ chief election strategist laid out his plan for 75 candidates and organizers in Toronto this week.

 
Save this page on del.icio.us

Sign up for a del.icio.us account here to save your bookmarks for free online.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today