CUPE disappointed in the federal government’s shameful role in Durban climate talks
The Harper Conservative government has once again been an obstructive force at the annual United Nations climate change talks. Harper’s government went to Durban determined to protect profits from Canada’s high-carbon resource economy ahead of moving the world to a green economy and a climate-stable future.
Negotiators representing more than 190 countries have finished their two weeks of meetings in South Africa with little to show that the world is serious about stopping climate change.
Represented by federal Environment Minister Peter Kent, Canada went into the talks doing all it could to thwart a new deal. But as Durban proceeded, Canada became increasingly irrelevant as other core environment ministers set the terms of a new deal. Canada under Harper continues to be viewed as a pariah state on climate change.