Almost every country at the UN climate conference in Bali is working hard to tackle climate change. As for Canada? Well, Canada is working hard to weasel out of taking action.
It's embarrassing.
Let me give you a small example of Canada's belligerent behaviour at these negotiations.
Last night, the federal government hosted an event to explain its climate change plan.
I decided to go because I was genuinely interested in hearing Environment Minister John Baird speak about Canada's position (also, there was free food).
I sat down at the back of the room where Baird was hanging out.
At the front of the room, there were three industry representatives up on stage promoting their "clean" technologies. I felt like I had wandered onto the set of an infomercial.
This is strange, I thought to myself. What does this have to do with Canada's position on climate change?
But I gave Baird the benefit of the doubt and assumed he was waiting for the last minute to take his seat up on stage. But a few minutes after the event started, Baird disappeared and never returned.
An hour later, the moderator announced that Baird wouldn't be speaking at the event because he "had to go back to the negotiating group."
At this point, most of the people sitting in the room stood up and left. I was one of them. I was annoyed that the federal government had wasted my time. It was a classic "bait and switch" scheme and I had been duped.
Canada's bad behaviour isn't going unnoticed. I had lunch with an Australian journalist today who said the event was a "complete con" and "totally outrageous."
A Nigerian delegate joined our table. Upon learning I was Canadian, he said, "Aren't you ashamed to show your face here?"
He started berating me until I waved my pass in his face and told him I was here with an environmental organization, not the federal government.
His tone softened.
"You're okay," he said. "But Canada isn't."
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John Gagnon
I'm hoping there is a silver lining here. The continued stance of the Conservatives, in opposition to the Canadian public's desire for action, may lead to their downfall in the next election. That may lead to bold steps being taken, as is greatly needed. Keep up the good work John Baird.
Lora Bruncke
I just sent this blog site to Stockwell Day's office!
I cannot believe this is happening!
My new motto:
The only thing worth saving is the environment. The economy can look after itself!
Go Suzuki and team!
BlueBerry Pick'n
reminds me of my stunned reaction to the 'big carbon cleanup program' Harper announced.
Lots of money to the iffy massive engineering effort to clean up carbon.
...not so much to prevent it...
but LOTS of money to cronies...
There's MONEY in Engineered Solutions:
http://www.thiscanadian.typepad.com/this_canadian/2007/09/harper-theres-n.html
a distributed, independent solar solution is ideal & easily implemented... we have THAT technology... but we're in a big hurry to shovel money into a speculative program while we continue shovelling into the environment & tar sands.
"Icing the puck", my friends. "icing the puck"
BlueBerry Pick'n
can be found @
ThisCanadian DOT com
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"
~
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid
Viking
You're embarassed to be Canadian ??!! Then get the HELL out of Canada and move somewhere else. I suggest the Sudan. There's an open, progressive regime. I have one thing to say to the Nigerian delegate, if it weren't for Canada, most of his country men would likely be starving. What an a$$hole.
BlueBerry Pick'n
"Holding the Bully's Coat: Canada & the U.S. Empire"
http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385660129
About this Book
"As the Bush administration has turned the United States into a belligerent and lawless force in the world, the Canadian government has followed in close step. Attempting to please our powerful neighbour, Ottawa has abandoned Canadas traditional role as a leading peacekeeping nation, and instead adopted a more militaristic, warlike stance, battling insurgents in Afghanistan as a junior partner in the U.S. "war on terror."
Ottawa has also abandoned Canadas traditional attempt to be a fair-minded mediator and conciliator, most notably in the Middle East conflict. And, under the government of Stephen Harper, Canada has joined the United States in becoming a leading obstructionist in worldwide efforts to deal with climate change perhaps the most urgent issue on the international agenda. The switch in direction evident in these positions has redefined the way Canada operates in the world, transforming our country into a helpful assistant to an aggressive U.S. power, increasingly out of sync with our European allies and with the rest of the world.
As in all her previous books, Linda McQuaig strips away the comforting illusions peddled by those in our elite. With her trademark combination of research, analysis, irreverence and passion, McQuaig shows how the elite has pushed us down a path with far-reaching consequences for us as a nation, and for our ability to find our own way in the world."
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ZNet |Canada | Holding the Bullys Coat Canada & the U.S. Empire
Holding the Bullys Coat Canada and the U.S. Empire. Linda McQuaig. Doubleday Canada , Toronto . 2007.
www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=12921