Statement by Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth Canada

March 25, 2010

Friends of the Earth is disappointed by the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to decline to hear our application to hold the federal government accountable for its lack of action in implementing the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act which was duly passed by Parliament in June 2007. 

Let me remind all concerned Canadians that this important Act was passed by the three opposition parties, the Liberals, the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois and by the Senate to become the law of the land.  It was an important signal that Parliament can work even under a minority rule.  The government’s decision to ignore this law makes a mockery of our democracy.

Despite the verbiage on “made in Canada” climate plans, there is no Canadian plan for climate protection.  There are no Canadian regulations.  In fact, there never were instructions to take regulatory actions as required by this Act of Parliament.  There was no effort to do the best Canada can for climate protection; rather, we see the government calculate how little it can do including occasional photo ops at global meetings.

If you are as outraged as I am at this state of affairs, please join me in calling for joint action by the three opposition parties.  The courts have stated that they are ill-suited to address implementation of the Act and that it is Parliament’s responsibility to ensure the act is implemented.  Following this disappointing decision of the Supreme Court, Friends of the Earth is finalizing its action plan and will present it next week. Email me directly to get the plan Beatrice@foecanada.org.