Canada’s ruling Conservative government is focused on expanding the country’s exploitation of fossil fuels while ignoring the risks to the environment, the economy and Canadians. On October 6, 2014, Canada’s Environment Commissioner released a report that confirms the Harper government’s obsession with fossil fuels.
The report reiterates the fact that the Canadian government will not be able to meet its 2020 carbon target. If Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper succeeds in tripling tar sands by 2030, it will increase global warming emissions by 250 percent. Not only is Canada failing to manage climate change, the report suggests that the federal government is lying to Canadians about progress on emissions reductions.
The report points out some other lesser known facts like significant flaws in tar sands monitoring which is putting people’s health at risk. The report singles out risks to marine traffic in the Arctic from the melting polar ice cap.
This is yet another indication of the Conservatives government’s cynical single mindedness in their protection of Canada’s status as a fossil fuel superpower. It is also another sad reaffirmation of the fact that their support for the tar sands trumps all other concerns.
To read the full report click here.
