The Harper government is once again destroying Canada's international image by deliberately sabotaging the efforts of the European Union to meet their climate change goals, this time by flinging up a trade roadblock. “The Harper government is looking for a two in one bargain – protection of their beloved (but internationally shunned) tar sands oil and blocking any progress in effectively regulating greenhouse gas emissions,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.
“If ever there were any doubt that the Harper government is trying to sabotage international efforts to halt the climate crisis, this latest revelation should put them to rest. Once again in secret, and behind the backs of Canadians, negotiators are pushing for a trade deal which only benefit the profits of corporations instead of protecting our environment and our communities,” said May. “The Green Party is calling for openness and transparency in these negotiations so that Canadians can have input on what we feel is right for our country and for the global community.”
Fuel suppliers within the European Union will be required to reduce the carbon footprint of fuels by 6% over the next decade. This policy has the potential to block imports of carbon-intensive tar sands oil, which has been found to have 23% higher average emissions than oil from other sources. According to reports, Canadian negotiators have threatened to scrap the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement over this fuel directive.
“If these trade talks fail, we stand to lose significant trade value from important Canadian industries such as agriculture and auto parts because of the Harper government’s protection of the Alberta tar sands and insistence on weakening any progress on the climate crisis. We should be pushing for trade deals that put global equity, Canadian sovereignty, human rights, and the environment first, not corporate business interests.”
A poll released today by the Public Policy Forum and Sustainable Prosperity and their project partners shows that 65 per cent of Canadians want to see government take action on climate change.
http://greenparty.ca/media-release/2011-02-23/government-damages-canadian-image-again-attacks-eu-climate-change-policy
