Harper is Canada's embarassment once again
macksamillion
by Sean Mallen, Global NewsDecember 21, 2009 6:25 PM
McGuinty harps on Harper for Copenhagen result
TORONTO � Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty blasted the Harper government's handling of the
climate change file at the Copenhagen summit, suggesting Canada's moral authority in the
world has been damaged by a lack of leadership.
And he said the global warming deal reached at the conference falls far short of what is
needed.
"I think it was a missed opportunity for us as a people, as a species, frankly," said
McGuinty, in an interview taped Monday for the Global Television program Focus Ontario.
Canada took a pounding at the conference, with environmentalists bestowing several
so-called "fossil" awards.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest attended in person, repeatedly attacking Ottawa for not taking
a tougher stand on reducing emissions, particularly those produced by the Alberta
oilsands.
But this is the first time since the summit that McGuinty has spoken on the subject and he
had unusually harsh words for the Harper government's low-key approach in Copenhagen.
"We've tended to set a pretty high moral standing for the world in a number of instances
and I think we've been missing," he said.
"I think of late, when it comes to the climate change debate we've been punching below our
weight."
Although U.S. President Barack Obama, who brokered the deal, called it an "important
milestone" and federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice described it as a "turning
point," the Ontario premier seemed to side with environmentalists who condemn the
Copenhagen Accord for not setting any targets for emission reduction.
"I think we failed to find a way to come together, and in a sincere and determined fashion
come to grips with a global threat: climate change," McGuinty said.
Both McGuinty and Charest have spoken about a divided-Canadian approach on the issue, with
Central Canada facing off against the energy-producing provinces of Alberta and
Saskatchewan.
McGuinty said in the interview, which is to air on Global Ontario Saturday evening at 6:30
p.m., that he hopes the provinces and federal government can come together in the new year
to make more progress.
_____________________________
Canada has faced criticism from developing countries and environmentalists who accuse the
government of failing to make concessions to help reach a deal - and of relinquishing the
country's historic role as a progressive on the world stage.
Environmental groups bestowed the dubious "Colossal Fossil" award on Canada. They said
Ottawa's target for reducing its greenhouse gases is "among the worst in the
industrialized world" and its plan to reach its goal is "so weak that it would put even
that target out of reach."
The mock honour capped a summit where Canada's image has taken a serious scuffing.
Serial pranksters The Yes Men pulled a fast one on Canada this week that shone
unflattering light on the government's targets to lower greenhouse gases.
Liberals are vermin
> by Sean Mallen, Global NewsDecember 21, 2009 6:25 PM
>
> McGuinty harps on Harper for Copenhagen result
>
> TORONTO Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty blasted the Harper government's handling of the
> climate change file at the Copenhagen summit, suggesting Canada's moral authority in the
> world has been damaged by a lack of leadership.
>
You and the rest of the sheep can give the Africans $100B if you want
to (it'll end up like most of the foreign aid, in the pockets of
dictators over there) but most sensible people know this is nothing
more than the biggest socialist con game in history. All it is going
to do is hurt the West (who has to PAY for it) and take money away
from REAL anti-pollution efforts to keep water and air clean.
Canuck57
> by Sean Mallen, Global NewsDecember 21, 2009 6:25 PM
>
> McGuinty harps on Harper for Copenhagen result
McGuinty is a liberal debtor, broke too. His opinion maters squat.
Canuck57
People in Canada should be up in arms.
We have people losing social assisance yet giving billions to African
corruption and bararism.
And i am not talking 2 legs, 2 arms fully abled bumbs, I am talking
about people with serious disabilities doing without for big time
government and corporate corruption. Canada shouldn't be bailing out
anyone abroad so political egos can be fed while our own born in Canada
people could use that money.
McGuinty is an ass. Ontario is broke for his arrogance, liberal-debt
and squanering.
jimjames5417
You should live in N.B.!! Graham wants to sell NB Power to Hydro
Quebec to give him more money to waste, and to avoid having to build
Lepreau 2! LIEberals cannot be trusted to run anything!!
Canuck57
Governments in Canada are broke all over. They would sell their
grandmother out for a dime if they could. Years of liberal-debt are
catching up to debtors.
What politicians will not admit is they have so screwed up government
with debt and currency mismanagmenet, the recession is really a decade
or two depression. The economy isn't coming back any time soon, and the
big jobs are being replaced with minimum wage jobs. There is a massive
loss of income and loss of taxation occuring, making governments
desperate for cash.
No one is going to pay me enough to move to NB or any place on the east
coast. The economies are dead, and not everyone can work for the
government. Local business probably treat people like crap as employees
are a dime a dozen.
Maybe if NB gives out taxation discount cards they might attract some
retirees if the home and property tax costs are low enough. But I am
looking at Costa Rica or Panama. No winter and cheaper to live. Have
some spanish cutie teach em the local lingo.
Canuck57
> product up and creating shortages.
> McGuinty: 60% of ethanol imported from the U.S.; produced in coal
> fired refineries.
> McGuinty: forcing the use of light bulbs that will only help the
> carpet industry and poison landfills.
> McGuinty: allowing Toronto to truck thousands of tons of garbage out
> of the country.
> McGuinty: didn't quite close down the generation of electricity using
> coal.
MgGuinty is a PR bone head. If you turned all the corn in North
America, every kernel, you would only be able to supply 5% of our
transportation requirements.
Mercury in the dumps, priceless.
Could get prisoners and bums to sort the garbage and recycle it.
One sense thing he did, every try to live without electricity?
Bone headed politicians.
Canuck57
> by Sean Mallen, Global NewsDecember 21, 2009 6:25 PM
>
>
> McGuinty harps on Harper for Copenhagen result
>
> world has been damaged by a lack of leadership.
Did McGuinty finally look in the mirror?