COPENHAGEN– New Democrat Leader Jack Layton is calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to remain in Copenhagen and make a constructive contribution to the climate change negotiations currently underway.

"The UN has just called on world leaders to remain until a deal is reached and I urge Stephen Harper to respect that request," said Layton, who is attending the UN conference on climate change. “Climate change is the greatest threat facing our world and Canada must show real leadership rather than be an obstacle to the negotiations.”

"At this pivotal moment, Canadians expect their government to be fully engaged in working for solutions that address the broad dimensions of the climate crisis before us. We've come too far and worked too hard to let an extra day or two stand in the way.”