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For release: April 9, 2008

Filibuster Continues to Paralyze Parliament’s Environmental Agenda

Ottawa - A filibuster of the House of Commons environment committee looks set to drag into its 17th hour today, as government MPs continue to block all progress on an important climate change bill.

A Conservative filibuster of the Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-377), a private member’s bill from NDP leader Jack Layton that would set science-based emission reduction targets for Canada, has already stalled the committee’s agenda for six meetings. As a result, the committee has not been able to finish its work on Bill C-377 or to move on to other environmental priorities.

Once again, the Climate Action Network-Réseau Action Climat demanded that the Conservative members of the committee end the stalemate and allow the committee to get back to work.

“The Climate Change Accountability Act would help to move Canada from a laggard to a leader in fighting climate change,” said Graham Saul, Climate Action Network-Réseau action climat Canada. “Canadians want real action on climate change, and so do a majority of MPs. Sadly, our government appears determined to look the other way.”

Youth environmentalists plan to attend the meeting with sleeping bags in hand, showing that they’re prepared to stay as long as it takes to break the filibuster.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development meets again today at 3:30 pm in Room 269 West Block. Climate Action Network members will be at the meeting and available for comment.

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