While there has been considerable finger-pointing about the past from all parties about Kyoto, a vote last night has clearly stated the current position of each of the parties. There is really no more need for debate about what parties will help do Canada's share in ensuring a future for our planet and our children, and which will not.
On February 1, 2007, Hon. Stéphane Dion (Leader of the Opposition, Lib.) tabled and started debate on a motion that reads as follows:
moved:
That, in the opinion of this House:
(a) there is overwhelming scientific evidence that the world's climate is changing as a result of human activity and this poses the most serious ecological threat of our time;
(b) the government must reconfirm Canada's commitment to honour the principles and targets of the Kyoto Protocol in their entirety;
(c) the government must create and publish a credible plan to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions to meet Canada's Kyoto commitments;
(d) the government must establish a 'cap and trade' emission reductions system and regulations for industry; and
(e) the Canadian Environmental Protection Act is available immediately to launch the necessary action.
After considerable debate, with some interesting speeches from various "sides" of the debate, they voted on the motion on the evening of February 5.
Yeas - 161 (Liberals + Bloc + NDP + Turner)
Nays - 115 (Conservatives)
There were some members paired, and a few members such as Mr Harper that wasn't there for the vote, but the idea was clear. This was a highly partisan vote, but one that should end any debate about whether the Conservative party has any interest in helping to solve the climate change crisis.
As someone who watches CPAC and Question Period I was getting tired of the finger pointing. Saying that the Liberals did nothing in the past is true, but the Conservative government is no longer the "new" government. Claiming that Canada cannot meet its Kyoto targets is based on a misunderstanding (or misrepresentation) of the fact that Kyoto had this type of situation factored in, and is why there is a carbon trading system to allow slow countries to catch up by funding reductions in other countries.
I hope we all know now that Paul Martin was lying when he claimed that he balanced the budget. What he did was take various issues, such as Kyoto, and take it off of the government books. The debt he increased is real, and needs to be payed now, but he lied to Canadians when he claimed the books were balanced.
The time for finger pointing about the past is gone. Its time to move forward. The political will in Canadians was not present for the past 14 years, but it is here now. Pointing to that past and blaming politicians or your neighbours doesn't matter, what matters is what we do now.
The major political parties have stated their CURRENT position on this issue, with the Greens, NDP, Bloc, and Liberals caring about the future, and the Conservatives still not able to catch up with Canadians and are stuck in the past. While the rhetoric during question period suggested that the Conservatives had read the polls and knew they needed to move forward, the vote last night threw out any illusion that this was the case.