NDP Leader Jack Layton makes public a letter he sent to Opposition Leader Stephane Dion and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe asking each one to consider using some of the procedural options available to opposition parties to try to force the government to bring C-30, the re-named Clean Air and Climate Change Act, to Parliament for a vote.
The government had been pursuing a legislative agenda for its environment strategy but, with the release this week by Environment Minister John Baird of his green plan, the government has abandoned a legislative agenda for a regulatory regime. The government will bring about its plan by changing the regulations in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Regulatory changes can be done through orders-in-council approved by cabinet and do not require parliamentary approval.
Layton doesn’t like that. He wants Parliament to debate this plan. Here’s Layton’s letter:
Gentlemen,
I write you today with the sincere hope that we can put partisan rancor behind us for the greater good of Canada’s environmental future. After reviewing the latest version of the Conservative “green plan” and your comments related to the Minister’s announcements; it has become increasing clear to me that the opposition parties must once again work together on this issue.
Our parties have worked together to re-write the first Conservative government attempt at combating climate change. Together our MPs amended that the Clean Air Act (Bill C-30) which the government is refusing to bring back to for debate and vote. While the amended Bill C-30 is not perfect, it stands as a far more effective and comprehensive climate change plan than the one announced by the government yesterday.
With the NDP’s next allotted Opposition Day not to occur until the end of May, I am respectfully requesting the consideration of using your parties’ Opposition Days to call on the government to immediately bring C-30 before the House. I understand the next Liberal Opposition Day is Tuesday, May 1 and the Bloc Quebecois’s Opposition Day would be shortly thereafter.
A motion compelling the government to bring C-30 before the House would have the NDP’s total support. I am also willing to move the motion myself should either Party wish to switch and use the NDP’s Opposition Days in late May.
Too much time has been wasted in Canada’s fight against climate change; we cannot afford to fall further behind. With the election speculation across the county now dying it’s time to get results on climate change, once and for all. We must have C-30 debated and voted on at the next possible opportunity.
Sincerely
Hon. Jack Layton, P.C., M.P.