OTTAWA – On Wednesday, May 5th, the New Democrat Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-311) passed its final vote in the House of Commons by a vote of 149 to 136.
“It has been too long coming,” said Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior, “but I am delighted it has passed, once again. Now I encourage Canadians to keep the pressure up on the Senate, to ensure passage of this bill. The climate clock continues to tick.”
C-311 is the country’s only federal climate-change legislation and will make the government accountable to Canadians for action on climate change through regular reporting on measures to achieve firm targets.
“This is the kind of change Canadians need to see,” said Hillary Vipond, Executive Director of the West Kootenay Eco Society.
“We all know that this is a critical time in our history, a time that requires comprehensive and committed action,’’ said Vipond. ‘’By making the government accountable to Canadians on climate change targets this bill ensures that real action will be taken and provides us with the means to work towards a viable future.”
“It is a great day for Canada as we finally have a blueprint for greening our future,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “We would not be here without the thousands of Canadians who called and wrote to their Members of Parliament, pushing them to finally adopt meaningful climate-change legislation.”
“It’s been a lot of work with a lot of ups and downs,” said Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay–Superior North), who introduced the bill in the House. “But finally Canada will be on its way to having clear regulations and frameworks for fighting climate change. We can at least hold our heads up higher in the international community.”
C-311 was modelled on Bill C-377, which was introduced by the NDP in 2007. C-377 was passed by the House of Commons in 2008 with the support of the Liberals and the Bloc, but died in the Senate when the election was called.
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BACKGROUND ON THE BILL:
• A long-term target to reduce Canadian greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. A medium-term target to bring emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2020.
• These are the medium and long-term targets consistent with the Kyoto process.
• To hold government accountable for meeting these targets, the New Democrat legislation will provide authority for the government to make regulations in order to meet the targets, and set penalties for those who contravene regulations passed under the Act.
For more information:
Alex Atamanenko 250-365-2792 1-800-667-2393
Hillary Vipond 250-354-1909
To contact Senators to indicate your support for C-311, the Climate Change Bill, please go to:
Tags: C-311, climate change, greenhouse gas