What a Joke

I always thought that to show leadership you presented your best foot forward to show your commitment to the project. If it is finance you have a person who understands the financial issues and is able to  lead. If it is transportation you find someone who can lead in the field to show your commitment to the position. In the world today there is no greater issue than the environment. Every country in the world is concerned and willing to become involved in a solution.

In Canada we are not the worst polluter but for decades we have been a leader in pushing the green house gas agenda and offering world class leadership in the field. We have world recognized advocates who have made the world environment their life,s mission. For the last ten years we have become a catalyst for emerging nations to cling to the hope that a solution was available. We were a beacon of sober judgement on our own wasteful and dangerous contribution to the problem. Our rush to use our natural resources in the tar sands to float the economy of Alberta and the huge oil interests has clouded the federal policies to the degree that they have taken the retro step in dropping out of the one solid program called Kyoto.

Many observers have come to the conclusion that our governments dropout was motivated to cover up the lack of progress in meeting their expected goals set out in the treaty.

Our government positioned a cabinet minister who knows how to read scripted notes to frustrate parliament when the environment is going to hell in a hand basket. Instead of having a world class person leading the way for the world and shouting from the mountain tops of the need we have appointed a good, well respected person to this task and immediately turned him into a puppet. How sad to see Peter fumbling for his scripted papers when asked a question. Freed to be open and aggressive for his mandate he could be a tower of strength and could return Canada to its place in the world as a positive force rather than a eunuch when it comes to our environment.

There are people and groups who are watching this charade in parliament and will not be silenced. My new year's wish for the environment is that individuals in Canada will carry the torch and become greener in their own life and aid and abet such projects that further our move to a cleaner and more sensitive society and hope that some sense will come to our leadership and tip the scales in favour of our Canada.