Click Here for the HTML Version of This Page
Today, Prime Minister Harper announced a cabinet shuffle that includes shifting Environment Minister Rona Ambrose to intergovernmental affairs and promoting John Baird to environment minister.
"There's been a lot of talk about Rona Ambrose' poor performance as environment minister," says Morag Carter, the Suzuki Foundation's climate change program director. "But the reality is that she got her marching orders directly from the prime minister."
Ms. Carter says that it's a perfect opportunity for Mr. Harper to get serious about environmental change, but adds that Canadians are tired of empty promises.
"Over the last year, the government has systematically dismantled environment programs and replaced them with rhetoric and little substance."
Recent polls show the environment as a chief concern for Canadians, with global warming and the federal government's failure to live up to its Kyoto commitment cited as top issues.
"Even with this cabinet shuffle the same question remains: Are the Prime Minister and the new environment minister ready to listen to Canadians, take strong action on global warming, and commit to Kyoto?" says Ms. Carter. "If not, then our pollution and heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise and Canada's international reputation will continue to decline."
For more information contact: