The science is now unequivocal: unchecked greenhouse gas emissions will lead to catastrophe. We face vanishing polar ice caps, drought, rising sea levels, altered agriculture, massive deforestation, species extinctions, virulent diseases, extreme weather events, and economic hardship. Faced with conclusive evidence, the Prime Minister promised action - but hasn’t delivered.
A new level of political commitment is needed to prevent the threat of worsening economic and health effects of climate pollution.
Pass Canada’s Climate Change Bill C-311
Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act, is Canada's only federal climate change legislation. It’s been passed by the House of Commons and now it’s up to the Senate to pass it - or kill it with delays. Your help is crucial to make sure it gets full and fair consideration in the Senate.
Where is C-311 now?
Bill C-311 is at Second Reading in the Senate, sponsored by Liberal Senator Grant Mitchell. Second Reading is a stage in the legislative process where Senators debate the principle of a bill. After every Senator who wishes to speak on a bill has spoken, there is a vote that usually results in the bill being sent to a committee for detailed study. The committee hears witnesses and may amend the bill before sending it back to the Senate.
The only climate change legislation before Parliament deserves full and fair consideration. We are asking that the Government send Bill C-311 to committee without delay when the Senate resumes on September 28, 2010. What you can do:
If Bill C-311 is to go forward to get the full consideration it deserves, the support of at least a few Independent and Conservative Senators is needed. Phone, write, or email Conservative and Independent Senators and ask them to send Bill C-311 to committee when the Senate returns in the fall.
Which Senators to contact:
It is most effective to contact Conservative or Independent Senators, as Liberal Senators supported this bill. Here are a few key Senators to contact:
Conservative Senator Richard Neufeld is the government’s critic of the legislation.
Conservative Senator Marjory LeBreton is the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Conservative Senator David Angus is the Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (the committee that will study the bill). Senators Dan Lang, Linda Frum, Judith Seidman and Fred Dickson are other Conservative members of this committee.
Contact Senators to urge them to let the Climate Change Accountability Act have full and fair consideration in committee. There is no more crucial legislation before Parliament. See a list of senators to contact.
Write a letter to your local paper or call a radio talk show to seek support for this concrete action on climate change.
