Canadian Parliament Votes in favor of More Ambitious Action at UN Climate Summit

(Ottawa) Canadian parliament has sent an unambiguous message that they do not agree with the current minority federal government's climate change strategy. In a vote today on a Bloc Quebecois motion to take a more ambitious position going into the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen in less than two weeks, the three opposition parties voted in favor of the motion, with a count of 137 to 124.

This result comes less than a week after the release of polling that shows that over 75% of Canadians are embarrassed by the current government’s lack of leadership on climate change.

The Bloc motion recommends that Canada go to Copenhagen with a position that encompasses three points as follows:

1. A 25% reduction domestically in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 based on 1990 levels

2. The need to limit the rise in average global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels

3. Support for developing countries in their efforts to adapt to climate change and to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions

These three points, if adopted as the mandate for the current government’s negotiating position, would significantly change the global perception of Canada as a spoiler and a laggard going into these critical talks.

The motion is not binding however.

All eyes will be on Copenhagen from the 7th - 18th of December as over 60 heads of state gather in Copenhagen to push for a deal.

As of today Prime Minister Harper has stated that he will not be attending the negotiations.