Home > Issues > Letters to the Editors > Letter

A version of the following letter was published in the Chronicle Herald (Halifax) on October 17, 2006

October 17, 2006

Dear Editor,

The Harper government announcement to postpone announcement of its environmental plan is just the latest in a series of delay tactics, further evidenced by the government’s insistence for more consultation with industry which will postpone air emission regulations for another 2-5 years.

We’ve had 10 years of public and industry consultation regarding air pollution and climate change policy in this country - and no action. In the meantime our natural environment is deteriorating at an alarming rate in many regions (e.g. the arctic) and our use of natural resources is out of control.

Canada, once seen as an international leader on environmental issues, now ranks near the bottom of a 33 country OECD ranking on environmental protection and resource use (water, energy, etc).

Its a shameful state of affairs, one that makes me embarrassed to be an ambassador of this country when I travel in Europe researching environmental policy. Its high time this country, under a new government, steps up to the plate and implements concrete actions that will protect the environment and ensure responsible resource use in this country for Canadians today and for future generations.

Further deliberations, as suggested by the Harper government, are an obvious delay tactic that ensure continued inaction.

Judith Lipp
Dalhousie University