Canada Legislators Urge Ottawa to Stick to Kyoto
Date: 05-Oct-06
Country: CANADA
The House of Commons voted 152-115 to back a draft bill presented by a Liberal legislator, which would force the government to meet its Kyoto targets. However, the way Parliament works means the chances of the bill ever becoming law are slim.
Conservative officials said they would not comment on the vote. The legislation will now be sent to Parliament's environment committee for further consideration.
Bills presented by opposition legislators have a low priority and Liberal officials predicted the Conservative government would drag out committee proceedings until an election expected early next year, something which would kill the bill.
Kyoto obliges Canada to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels by 2012. Current emissions are some 35 percent above the target.
The Conservatives say Canada has no chance of meeting its Kyoto targets and are working on an environmental package of their own, the first stage of which is due to be unveiled later this month.
(Additional reporting by Randall Palmer)