Statement by New Democrat leader Jack Layton on Bill C-311

Tim Flannery, Chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council, sums it up well in the title of his new book, Now or Never.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown today called for nations to commit themselves to action, noting that there are only 50 days remaining before Copenhagen.

Yet, weeks away from the most important global meeting of nations in many years, Canada's Environment Minister is suggesting that the talks are unlikely to succeed.

No wonder, with Canada itself having no plan to offer and, worse, being increasingly seen as a pariah on greenhouse gas pollution.

This does not have to be.

On Wednesday of this week, a crucial vote will take place in the House of Commons establishing Canada as a bold participant in the changes that need to happen. Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act, will be before the House. The vote is to determine whether this landmark legislation will be delayed and therefore not adoptable before the Copenhagen conference or whether it can be debated by the House in time to stand as the official position of the elected representatives of the Canadian people who overwhelmingly support action now.

Bill C-311 sets out deep greenhouse gas reduction targets for Canada as specified by the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute, based on the best scientific evidence available. Canada would commit to reduce GHG emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, with 1990 serving as the base year. Interim targets and accountability reporting is also set out in the bill so that no matter which party is in power in the future, the law must be respected.

This legislation has been adopted many times by the House of Commons but failed to receive approval by the Senate last year because of the election.

We submitted the bill again to this Parliament and were thankful that it received a majority vote on second reading in the spring.

The Proposal from the Standing Committee that the Bill needs further debate will ensure that the House has nothing to offer the world in Copenhagen and that Stephen Harper's unacceptable position will stand unchallenged.

I call upon Canadians who share our sense of urgency to urge all MPs to vote for immediate action. Adopt C-311 now. Let's send a message to the world at Copenhagen.