New Democrat Copenhagen climate change bill passes House

OTTAWA – Despite attempts by Stephen Harper and his Conservatives, the New Democrat Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-311) received support from the House of Commons today.

“In light of the international community coming together in Copenhagen later this year, Canada has a responsibility to lead the world toward consensus,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “Our legislation sets tough but achievable targets that will ensure that Canada does its part to fight climate change.”

This is the second time that New Democrats have brought this bill before the house. In June 2008, climate change activists and environmental leaders around the world celebrated the passage by the House of the Mr. Layton’s Climate Accountability Act, as the world’s first. By shutting down Parliament and calling an early election, last year, Stephen Harper killed the Act before it could be passed by the Senate.

The 2009 Copenhagen conference will be a key opportunity for the world to develop international agreements before the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012.

“While the Conservatives keep their heads in the sand about the serious threats posed by climate change, we are proposing real, science based solutions that will make Canada a global leader when the world meets in Copenhagen,” declared Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay–Superior North).