Canada and Australia - Comparing Environmental Policies in 16 Countries - page 133

however, and resigned his seat in 1997. He wanted more autonomy for
Alberta, proposing a “firewall” to keep the rest of Canada from draining
its wealth from oil and gas to other provinces. He advocated conservative
social positions, including parents' right to use corporal punishment on
their children. In 2002 he was elected once more to Parliament with a new
party, the Canadian Alliance, which soon merged with the Conservative
Party. And he was elected the leader. Harper had a penchant for insult-
ing people, saying Quebec had too many privileges, and that the Atlantic
provinces were trapped in a culture of defeat, and had a “can't do” attitude.
All four parties in Parliament claim to favor environmental protection.
The New Democratic Party wants a vigorous program on greenhouse
gases, more renewable energy and Green Bonds to finance sustainable
energy. It proposes a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases aiming
for a level 80% below the 1990 emissions by 2050. Also it promises to help
Canadian communities deal with the unfolding impacts of a warming
planet, anticipating the country's northern geography will make it espe-
cially vulnerable. The Liberals promise to protect the environment, encour-
age sustainable energy and return to a scientific basis for climate change.
The Bloc Québécois wants to protect the St. Lawrence River, combat blue
algae in lakes, lessen dependence on petroleum, and use cap-and-trade
to reduce global warming. The Policy Declaration of the Conservatives
states that “the quality of the environment is a vital part of our heritage
to be protected by each generation for the next.” 2 In fact, this latter seems
largely lip service, in light of their recent actions.
In the 2011 election, Harper claimed he was pro-environmental, includ-
ing renewing an existing pledge to support the Kyoto Protocol with a
17% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, but this was the weakest of the
three major parties. Once in office, Harper backed away. In June the parties
to the treaty met in Bonn, Germany, to plan a Second Commitment Period.
The 1997 commitments were scheduled to end, and the parties wanted new
commitments until 2020. Canada announced it would not agree to bind-
ing limits. Russia and Japan also said they would not participate either.
Canada has a wide range of environmental groups. Many started as affili-
ates of US organizations. The big ones have chapters in many provinces and
head offices in Ottawa. The Wildlife Federation claims 300,000 members
and supporters. Organized in 1962, it promoted the endangered species
program. The World Wildlife Fund, founded in 1967, has more than
50,000 members. It is concerned with over-fishing, endangered species at
home, and international trade in species like tigers and sea turtles. With