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For release: April 7, 2008

Filibuster Paralyzing Parliament’s Environmental Agenda


Ottawa - The Climate Action Network-Réseau Action Climat today demanded that Conservative members of the House of Commons environment committee stop blocking the committee’s work.

A Conservative filibuster of the Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-377), a private member’s bill that would set science-based emission reduction targets for Canada, has already stalled the committee’s agenda for five meetings. The filibuster looks set to continue into its 14th hour today. As a result, the committee has not been able to finish its work on Bill C-377, or to move on to other environmental legislation.

“This senseless action by the Conservative members has paralyzed all progress from this committee and from Parliament,” said Graham Saul, Climate Action Network. “The bill in question would set Canada on a path to playing a responsible part in the global fight against climate change. Instead, the government appears determined to block it.”

“A majority of MPs support climate targets for Canada in line with the science,” said Emilie Moorhouse, Sierra Club of Canada. “By blocking this, the Conservative MPs on the committee are actively opposing the will of Parliament and the desire of Canadians for real action on global warming.”

The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development meets again today at 3:30 pm in Room 253-D, Centre Block. Climate Action Network members will be at the meeting and available for comment.

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