Alliance as opposition is also a major concern
With the Liberal Party firmly back in power for a third term, environmental groups are concerned about the federal government’s ability to follow through on leftover campaign promises from the previous two elections.
Central to their concerns is the Liberal government’s commitment, made in 1993 and reiterated in 1997 and 2000, to pass "strong" endangered species legislation. Yet Bill C-33, the Species At Risk Act died on the order paper in 1997 and again in 2000 when the Liberal Party called the federal election.
Other primary concerns include Canada’s failure to meet its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our failure to meet commitments outlined in the National Park strategy, growing opposition to genetically modified foods and organisms, and the lack of environmental representation in Parliament.
Environmental groups are also concerned with the Opposition Canadian Alliance Party’s near sweep of B.C., despite the fact that the Alliance all but ignored environmental issues in their election platform.
"Although anyone’s environmental platform would look good beside the Alliance, I have to say we are more than a little disappointed with the Liberals’ environmental track record over their two terms in office," says Joe Foy, director of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee.
Prior to the election, the WCWC circulated a survey to candidates in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast riding asking their opinions on key environmental issues. They also issued a summary of the Liberal’s environment record over the past seven years.
"Not only has the ruling party failed to enact needed legislation, the opposition Reform (now Alliance) Party has consistently called for even weaker environmental protection. From failure to protect endangered species and their habitat, to failure to act to curb climate change and reduce toxic waste, Canada is now earning a new reputation – as a country that blocks progress in solving environmental problems."
Among the issues covered in the WCWC report is the Environmental Protection Act, which environmentalists feel was "gutted" prior to becoming law in early 1999. The original Act targeted persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic substances that have a potential to harm people and the environment. After intense lobbying on behalf of industry, however, the Liberals ratified the Act, "taking out all its teeth." Three Liberal MPs who objected to the changes defied party solidarity and voted against it.
In regards to the failed species protection legislation, environmentalists were actually "relieved" when the Act died on the table – they considered it too weak and narrowly focused to achieve any sort of protection for endangered species.
"We’re one of the only industrialized nations on this plant not to have some kind of strong, and I emphasize the word ‘strong’, endangered species legislation," says Foy. "Although we tend to think of our American cousins as a little more right-wing than we Canadians, where the environment is concerned, we are actually light years behind."
The Sierra Club of B.C. is also concerned that the Species Protection Act, even if it were passed, would be ineffectual. "The proposed legislation was so gutted in Parliament that it only covers about five per cent of Canada – that’s weak protection for endangered species," says Jeff Paleczny. "Our group is actually happy it died on the table because it gives us a chance to start over.
"We’re also concerned that the proposed legislation would let politicians decide which species get to go on the endangered species list, rather than scientists or biologists who are better equipped to make those decisions," Paleczny said.
By 2000, the Liberals had pledged to complete a National Parks System that ensured that each of Canada’s 39 distinct geo-climatic zones were protected. To date, only 24 zones are represented, 15 zones short of the goal. Specifically, the Sierra Club of B.C. and the WCWC would like to see National Parks created in Clayoquot Sound and in the proposed Stoltmann National Park Reserve which contains the Elaho Valley.
"The type of coast forest in the Elaho, which was identified by the federal government as one of the zones, is not represented yet, either in a park or some kind of other preserve," says Paleczny.
The WCWC report on the Liberals also focuses on Canada’s failure to achieve the reduction in greenhouse gases we pledged to meet in the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change in 1998 – a reduction and stabilization of emissions (specifically carbon dioxide) to 1990 levels by 2008.
Currently, carbon dioxide emissions are up 13 per cent from 1990 levels, and still climbing. The Canadian government, realizing that it won’t be able to reduce emission levels by 2008, is starting to look for loopholes in the agreement that would allow for a 15 per cent net increase in emissions.
"We should be seen as world leaders in this issue, and instead we are seen ducking our responsibility, looking for ways to declare our forests as carbon credits," says Paleczny. "It’s embarrassing. The whole world is watching."
Another Liberal policy that concerns the Sierra Club is the growing presence of GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) in Canada’s food supply. "We don’t know the long-term effect of these organisms on our health or on the environment," says Paleczny. "At the very least we should be able to make the consumer aware by including GMO information on product labels."
In addition to environmental issues, environmental groups are concerned that it may be impossible to move forward in the post-election political climate. The Canadian Alliance Party won 27 of B.C.’s 34 seats in Parliament, which provincial environmental groups say will severely limit the access for B.C. environmental issues in federal politics.
"It just confirmed for me that for those of use who care about clean air, clean water, and wild areas, we’re going to have to move ahead without the help of the majority of B.C.’s Members of Parliament," says Foy. "They’re the only federal party that completely lacks an environmental policy. We’re going to have to work harder to be heard out here. A lot harder."
Paleczny says the Sierra Club of B.C. is also concerned with strong Alliance showing.
"The Alliance platform for the environment is about a half-page, showing it’s not a major concern for them," says Paleczny. "Now they’re the official Opposition party in Ottawa, and I can’t imagine that they’re going to give the environment in B.C., or elsewhere in Canada, too much air time."
One positive development, in Paleczny’s view, is the re-election of Environment Minister David Anderson in Victoria. While he has not been effective in building support for strong environmental legislation in the years leading up to the election, Palesczny says he believes Anderson is aware of the issues and is sincere in his desire to resolve environmental issues to everyone’s benefit.
The Liberals have not announced whether they plan to reintroduce the species protection legislation when Parliament convenes in the New Year, but both the Sierra Club of B.C. and WCWC say they will try to keep the pressure on.
