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Canada pulls out of Kyoto

"Refusing to do our fair share to combat climate change is an abdication of our responsibility as a member of the international community. It's to Canada's shame that the Harper government has chosen to abandon the most vulnerable states to devastating climate impacts", says National Union President, James Clancy.

Ottawa (13 Dec 2011) - Environment Minister Peter Kent, just back from COP17 in Durban, has announced Canada's pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol is a cornerstone of international climate negotiations and plays a key role in addressing the climate crisis. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified by Canada in 2002, when the agreement became legally binding.

"Refusing to do our fair share to combat climate change is an abdication of our responsibility as a member of the international community. It's to Canada's shame that the Harper government has chosen to abandon the most vulnerable states to devastating climate impacts", says National Union President, James Clancy.

“It’s a national disgrace. Prime Minister Harper just spat in the faces of people around the world for whom climate change is increasingly a life and death issue. We are now the only country in the world to sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol and officially withdraw from our commitment to the planet”, says Graham Saul, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada.

Canadian's aren't alone in their frustration with Harper and Kent's official move, other governments are speaking out. The Government of China calls it “regrettable”, the Chinese state news agency denounced it as “preposterous” and “an excuse to shirk responsibility”, but Tuvalu’s Ian Fry says it best: “For a vulnerable country like Tuvalu, its an act of sabotage on our future.” It’s a “reckless and totally irresponsible act.”

More Information:

China, Japan say Canada's Kyoto withdrawal "regrettable" - Reuters
There was a time when being a Kyoto killer would dominate the news - Hill Times

NUPGE publications on climate change:

Our Green Future: Confronting Climate Change - a just transition to green jobs - download PDF
Top 5 ways to get government to confront the climate crisis - download PDF
Keeping Our Cool: A Climate Change Primer - download PDF
Biofools? Is it smart to put so much faith in biofuels? - download PDF
Greener Transportation: Personal Transportation - download PDF
The Carbon Market: Carbon Offsets - download PDF

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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE