- checking login information
Loading...Hopeless On Harper, Environmentalists Reach Out To Premiers
The Prime Minister sure wasn’t listening, so environmental groups in Canada have decided to stop wasting their time trying to convince the Harper government to do something about climate change.
After years of watching the Conservatives make excuses for the oil sands, give tax breaks to large corporations and give tax breaks to factories rather than encouraging a greener economy, the groups are moving on. This week several environmental groups will approach the provincial premiers as they gather in Halifax for the Council of the Federation.
The premiers have also experienced some difficulty communicating with this federal government – The Prime Minister hasn’t attended a meeting with the gathered premiers in the past three years.
Lots of energy resources
While the environmentalists try to get their message through to the gathered premiers, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) will also be lobbying the group to “better market Canada’s energy resources.” It is unclear whether this means the selling of Ontario and Quebec’s hydro-electric power, Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore drilling or Alberta’s oil sands is unclear, but, of course, the Harper government is only focused on selling the oil sands to China. The CCCE has indicated that they want to talk about sustainability.
Among the premiers, Alberta’s Alison Redford is said to be pushing for a national energy strategy. The Harper government is tentative because of the provincial jurisdiction and the potential cost, but it is likely they are more receptive to the plan as it comes from Redford, a friend. Redford has already reached out to Ontario Premier, Dalton McGuinty, whose support would be necessary to get any plan started.
McGuinty has his own issues to be concerned about – Ontario was built on manufacturing and now factories are being shut down or moved out of the province and there is no other industry replacing them. He should be receptive to the sustainability message if Ontario wants to move forward.
As Greenpeace’s Keith Stewart told the Canadian Press: “If the premiers go along with Harper’s plan, then Canada will miss out on the green energy revolution that is our best hope for a prosperous future.”
Related Stories:
Harper Government’s War On Environmentalists
Read more: canada, climate change, environment, politics
Photo Credit: Peter Blanchard
have you shared this story yet?
some of the best people we know are doing it
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
THX for sharing.
Thanks for the spread of awareness. Yes, this is a critical issue. Addressing this issue alone can…
kasper, you said: "Douglas S. says " they need animal protein, and it is not always possible to source…
meet our writers
31 comments
+ add your ownHarpers a blight on the planet.
that Harper bstard would definitely qualify as the anti-christ.. Harper along with his minister thugs are some of the most vicious and criminal government terrorists the world has seen since the days of Hitler.
Stop voting for the corrupt corporate whores! VOTE GREEN!!!
Thank you great article.
Harper and his government certainly do not care about animals or our environment. I was hoping he would be gone last election. Somebody voted for him! The rest of them were not any better.
Thank you, I wasn't aware of a lot about this.
Canada you've lost all credibility and respect from the outside world, and you won't get it back until that idiot Harper has been ousted.
thanks
I'm surprised that Alison Redford would utter the words "National" and "Energy" in the same sentence. Some people will automatically scream "NEP, NOOOOOOOO!" before they even know what her ideas are. Well, my personal jury is out until I know. She has to be careful to walk a fine line here; too right-wing and she pisses off the people who vote Liberal/NDP (not they they've ever had a chance). Too left-wing and she pisses off the people who voted Wild Rose (like the Conservatives, only much worse). At least she restored the education funding that Special Ed cut and gave the AISH recipients a much-needed increase. Now if they'd re-list eye exams and give poor seniors a break on prescription medications, that would go a long way.
Harper is basically Brian Mulroney v. 2.0 - I'm old enough to remember when Mulroney arrogantly proclaimed that he could do anything he wanted. Well, Harper should remember what happened to Mulroney... the party decimated down to TWO members, and Mulroney named as the Most Hated Prime Minister in Canadian history. Looks like Harper is trying to claim *that* title.
I can't wait for the next election!
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment