Harper Decides to Attend Climate Negotiations

OTTAWA -- The Green Party of Canada is encouraged by the news that Prime Minister Stephen Harper finally decided to attend the climate negotiations in Copenhagen next month. Harper made his decision after the American and Chinese presidents confirmed their presence. “It is good that Canada's Prime Minister has decided that the climate negotiations demand participation at the highest level,” said Green Climate Critic Adriana Mugnattu-Hamu. “Now, he must shift our negotiating position to match the ambitious targets of the European Union, as well as Ontario, Quebec and other provinces.”
 
Quebec has now pledged to match the target set by the European Union of reducing emissions by at least 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.  Ontario’s target is reduction of emissions by six percent from 1990 levels by 2014, 15 per cent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.  These targets are much more ambitious than the current federal goal of reducing emissions by 20 per cent from 2006 levels by 2020, which translates into less than three percent below the 1990 level given that Canada’s emissions rose 25% between 1990 and 2005.  “The base year is very important and only the federal government is using the more recent base year of 2006,” said Mugnattu-Hamu.  “Canada should get on board with other nations and use a common base year for emissions targets.”
 
B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and Quebec Premier Jean Charest will also be at the Copenhagen negotiations.
 
“The House has expressed its will in the Bloc Québécois motion passed this week. The Prime Minister should represent all Canadians and put forward the view of the majority of Canadians and the majority of Parliamentarians -- not just that of his minority government,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.
 
"Canada still has time to redeem our international reputation at Copenhagen, positioning us well for the spring G-8 and G-20 meetings," said May.  "Leadership in this context requires matching the targets of the most progressive provincial governments in Canada and negotiating in a cooperative manner with other nations."
 

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