Dear Prime Minister, Honourable Peter Kent, Honourable Christian Paradis and Opposition Leaders, I am dismayed by recent news that there is a planned $222-million or 20% reduction in spending at Environment Canada. I am further shocked that spending is being cut when an internal government review, as reported by Postmedia News on March 11, confirms that climate change policies slated to end in this budget are delivering emission reductions and generating green jobs. According to Postmedia News, the internal review indicates that around 20 million tonnes of emission reductions are expected by 2012 and $25 billion in new investments. The summary of the report indicates that the government programmes have, “...directly created more than 5,000 jobs since 2007 along with more than twice as many indirect jobs in such areas as construction, and more spinoffs in the future.” This decision is out of step with the views of Canadians. According to recent Environics poll, 71% of Canadians strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement, "money spent on wars and the military would all be better spent on efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change.”[1] There is already a significant gap between spending on the environment and climate change and defence. In 2010 to 2011, Environment Canada’s program activities amount to just over 1 billion dollars while National Defence is over 20 billion. The Environics poll also finds that 83% of Canadians strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that: “The Canadian government should invest in green jobs and have transition programmes for workers and communities negatively affected by a shift away from reliance on fossil fuels.” The Canadian government is already falling behind in this regard. Analysis prepared by the Pembina Institute and Environment Northeast based on the 2010 federal budget and the latest U.S. Congressional Budget Request indicates that the U.S. outspends Canada per capita 8 to 1 on renewable energy, energy efficiency and public transit. Climate change is unfolding even faster than previously predicted; it is one of the most serious crisis we face. World events ranging from devastating floods in Pakistan, severe wildfires in Russia, mudslides in China, droughts in the Sahel and Niger, and an 87 square-kilometre chunk of ice breaking off from Greenland are all consistent with patterns that climate scientists have been warning us of. Urgent action is needed. This requires the Canadian government to invest in effective programs and policies that lead to real emission reductions in our country including the expansion of public and community owned renewable energy, increased conservation and energy efficiency. The government has a moral responsibility to encourage people to live within environmental means and start the transition to sustainable energy production and consumption. With a potential federal election on the horizon, this decision has further compelled me to speak with my friends, colleagues and neighbours about this poor decision and the ongoing failure of the Canadian government to take effective action on climate change. Sincerely,
1 The Environics poll was commissioned by the Council of Canadians, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Indigenous Environmental Network, Common Frontiers, Public Service Alliance of Canada and Toronto Bolivia Solidarity. It was a telephone poll of 1,000 Canadians conducted October 27 to November 1 2010 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.10%, 19 times out of 20.

* Please note that we've been experiencing a high volume of email submissions. When you press "Send letter", you should land on our "thank you" page. Even if you don't see the "thank you" message, your email will still be sent as soon as the server is free, and you may close the window. If you have any questions, or would like verification that your email was submitted successfully, please email webmaster@canadians.org.