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For release: September 12, 2006

Environmentalists Unite to Turn Up the Heat on Harper Government this Fall

(Toronto) The environment promises to be a hot political issue this fall as leading environmental groups join forces to pressure the Harper government into making the right decision in its upcoming green plan.

The coming weeks will be critical for Canada's international reputation. Canada faces two choices. Either the plan reinforces Canada's international role as environmental leader or ends up being a mere carbon copy of George W. Bush's failed environmental policies.

To be taken seriously, the upcoming green plan should :

• Save Canada's reputation by recommitting unequivocally to its international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol
  
  
• Require the oil industry to use its record profits to pay for the pollution it creates and force big polluters to significantly lower their emissions
  
  
• Regulate carbon pollution under Canada's existing environmental protection law
  
  
• Include tough pollution targets and timelines that will lead to real improvements in the lives and health of Canadians.

“Our fear is that this plan is going to be all politics and public relations. For this plan to be credible, Steven Harper needs to take the tough action required to truly fight smog, climate change, pollution and clean up our water”, said John Bennett, Executive Director, Climate Action Network Canada/Réseau action climat Canada (CAN-RAC).

Climate Action Network member organizations are turning up the heat this fall by releaseing tv ads, conducting speaking tours, giving community workshops, commissioning studies, releasing reports, holding public conferences and giving school talks and engaging business leaders and artists.

“In the absence of federal leadership, organizations large and small are giving voice to millions of Canadians who are demanding effective government action to stick to Canada's international commitments on the environment.” said David Coon of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick/Conseil de la conservation du Nouveau-Brunswick and Chair of CAN -RAC.

CAN-RAC is a network of over 40 member organizations including Greenpeace, Sierra Club of Canada, Equiterre, Pembina Institute, KAIROS, World Wildlife Fund and the David Suzuki Foundation as well as major faith and labour organizations. Members work together for federal, provincial and local government action in defense of the climate.

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