An open letter to member of Parliament John Weston, copied to Coast Reporter.
So, it has come to this. My country, which for most of my life has stood proudly as a model for social justice, human rights, peacekeeping and international development, has become a mockery, labelled a "fossil" by the international community.
While the failure of the Copenhagen Conference cannot be laid entirely at the feet of your Con-servative government, it is clear that Stephen Harper has been singled out for lack of leadership, stalling and evading responsibility for any plan to deal with this looming crisis. Harper has been mocked by leading environmental agencies and criticized by national leaders and United Nations officials.
I was disappointed to read of your dismissal of the issue when responding to the passionate appeal of the 350 group in Sechelt recently, suggesting the need to balance climate change efforts with jobs and the economy. More visionary nations in Europe and Asia do not see a conflict, but rather they see an opportunity for economic development. Furthermore, the consequences of not taking strong and immediate action have the potential of economic catastrophe. Do we want to take on that risk for our grandchildren?
There is hope. The appeal by 16-year-old Selene Rose at the Sechelt forum was a challenge to you and to me.
I urge you to throw your support behind such measures as Bill C-311, the Clim-ate Change Account-ability Act, introduced in the House of Commons by New Democrats, which sets achievable, science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets.
It is not too late. The Copenhagen accord calls for continued negotiations toward a summit in Mexico in 2010. Will you urge Stephen Harper, and your Conservative government to once again make Canada a proud and recognized leader in the international community?
Bill Forst, nominated NDP candidate
