C-311: A Global Warming Test for All Parties

OTTAWA--Sierra Club Canada is urging all Canadians to contact Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and urge him and his caucus members to vote for the Climate Change Accountability Act, Bill C-311, when it comes to a vote Wednesday, April 14.

"This is a test of commitment for all political parties. We’ve had decades of quibbling and empty promises.  This bill will require government to act according to science,” said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada.

The bill was originally introduced with the support of all the opposition parties, before the 2008 election by Jack Layton. It establishes emission reduction targets for Canada based on a scientific assessment of what is required to avert catastrophic climate change.

"The question for Canadians is where do the Liberals stand on curbing global warming," said Bennett.

Since the election, the Liberals have changed positions voting with the government to prevent Bill C-311 from coming to a vote before the Copenhagen Climate Summit last December.

"Why have Canadians waited 20 years for the federal government to take global warming seriously?" asked Bennett.

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This is the first action alert in a ‘Days of Rain’ series, put on by Sierra Club Canada, leading up to Earth Day.

Contact:
Michael Bernard
Director of Media Relations
Sierra Club Canada
michaelb@sierraclub.ca
(o) 613.241.4611 x230
(c) 613.302.9933
Toll free: 1.888.810.4204