Canadian democracy and climate accountability ambushed and killed
Wednesday/17 November 2010
Canada has no climate
legislation.
The NDP sponsored Bill C-311, Canada's only climate bill, was passed by our elected representatives in Parliament. The majority of our elected representatives voted in favour of this bill, not once but three times. It then was sent to the Canadian Senate for debate and "sober second thought" before it could become law.
The democratic process was hijacked by the Conservatives when a surprise vote in the Senate was taken, pre-empting discussion, rendering second thought non-existent.
This sleazy, manipulative move by Harper & Co. annuls democratic process. It should appall anyone, of any political stance, who holds democracy as a value. It's an attack of the values and rights of Canadian citizenship.
Further, we are facing a climate emergency on this planet. Canada does not have climate legislation. Bill C-311 would have introduced national climate accountability and the beginnings of a constructive, forward thinking set of laws, policies and practices. To disregard democratic process in this area is particularly dangerous and unconscionable.
In usurping democratic process to kill Bill C-311, the Tories have betrayed the land and people they govern. They've snubbed the safety and security of younger generations and generations to come.
The NDP sponsored Bill C-311, Canada's only climate bill, was passed by our elected representatives in Parliament. The majority of our elected representatives voted in favour of this bill, not once but three times. It then was sent to the Canadian Senate for debate and "sober second thought" before it could become law.
The democratic process was hijacked by the Conservatives when a surprise vote in the Senate was taken, pre-empting discussion, rendering second thought non-existent.
This sleazy, manipulative move by Harper & Co. annuls democratic process. It should appall anyone, of any political stance, who holds democracy as a value. It's an attack of the values and rights of Canadian citizenship.
Further, we are facing a climate emergency on this planet. Canada does not have climate legislation. Bill C-311 would have introduced national climate accountability and the beginnings of a constructive, forward thinking set of laws, policies and practices. To disregard democratic process in this area is particularly dangerous and unconscionable.
In usurping democratic process to kill Bill C-311, the Tories have betrayed the land and people they govern. They've snubbed the safety and security of younger generations and generations to come.
