Why do I keep posting about the importance of electing a new Canadian government that does not include Stephen Harper and his Conservatives? What does this have to do with climate change?
As a Canadian who knows that there is going to be a price to pay for our addiction to digging up buried carbon and transferring it into the air, I recognize that the next 5 years are crucial in jump-starting the clean energy economy in our country and giving our children a chance at a safe and secure future. Harper and his cronies have consistently shown that they are firmly ensconced in the Alberta tar sands, and are in lock-step with the fossil fuel industry, which has no interest at all in encouraging an economy run by nonpolluting, renewable energy sources. Under Harper’s leadership, Canada has become an international pariah at U.N. climate conferences, and Canada has been awarded more “Fossil” awards than any other country. The Harper government has also cut funding to monitor climate changes in our country, and has muzzled by intimidation Environment Canada scientists. Climate Action Network Canada describes Harper’s legacy this way:
The current government has taken a reckless approach to one of the greatest challenges of our time. Despite the fact that the impacts of climate change have become increasingly obvious, the government has failed to take this crisis seriously.
For more background, check out the “What The Heck IS Canada’s Policy?” page, or go to Climate Action Network’s 2011 Election Watch Page.
So, with apologies to my international readers, here’s another synopsis of the Harper government’s mismanagement of our country. As the video description reads:
Five years after he was first elected, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have shown themselves frightening consistent in their contempt for parliament, inability to tolerate dissent, and hostility towards any truth or facts that do not back up their world view. On May 2nd, let’s end Harper’s reign and bring common sense back to government.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXFJnhWlCww]
Here’s the list of Harper’s legacy that the video highlights: no tax income trusts .. nuclear safety watchdog fired … in and out scandal … Bernier … fixed election dates anyone? … proroguing .. short term deficits .. long form census … lost UN security council .. torturing prisoners .. misleading the house of commons .. $26 million to promote the economic action plan after it ran out … breached parlimentary privilege twice .. government of Canada replaced by Harper government on all documents
More links:
The Government of Canada’s Record on Climate Change (2006 – present)
It’s Time For Canada’s Fossilized Climate Policy to Be Buried
Climate Action Network Canada Response to Conservative Platform
Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!
Just how far will Steven Harper go in his quest for self-glorification? So now it is the Harper Government instead of the Canadian Government, is it? I suppose the next thing we know Canada will be renamed Harperville. No shortage of ego there.
Well, Mr. Harper, you can do that with Alberta if you like, but please confine it to the area of the oil sands. I have several good friends who live in Alberta, although I must say that they choose to vacation elsewhere. Perhaps they have good reason for doing that.
I see that the “short term” deficit, is now rapidly approaching a long term deficit. The $64 billion short term is about to become $200 billion should Mr. Harper get his way. That boils down to about $6,000 for every man, woman and child in this country. And let’s not forget how much interest that will cost us as well. The actual cost to pay off that debt will be far greater to Canadians.
Here’s a sobering statistic for you to think about. For every 1% annual interest on a debt of $200 billion, the cost to Canadians will be – sit down before you read this, I don’t want to be responsible for you hurting yourself – $5,479,000 EVERY DAY! That’s five and a half MILLION dollars every day.
That doesn’t include the principle.
When you vote on May 2nd, please keep that in mind. I don’t know about you, but I cannot afford that, neither can my kids or grandkids.