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Harper plays down hopes for APEC climate deal

GLORIA GALLOWAY

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 12:10 AM EDT 07/09/07

PM uses speech at Asia-Pacific summit to blast Liberal emission record ...Read the full article

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  1. Expert Eel from Canada writes: That's a real nice pic of Steve Harper giving the old Zeig Heil!

    Why does this loser leader keep blaming his problems on the past government?

    If he knew that the job was going to be this hard, why did he run?

    I'm tired of this whiner.
  2. bill johnson from Quebec, Canada writes: The previous Liberal government did not manage to meet Kyoto targets and emissions increased significantly during the 13 years they held office. The Liberals only have themselves to blame for their sordid environment record, including while Dion was a cabinet minister. They did nothing.
  3. bill johnson from Quebec, Canada writes: Sad to see China is still evading its responsibility of responsible growth.
  4. Jean Le Loup from La Tuque, Canada writes: Mr. Harper lambastes the Liberals for paying 'lip-service' to the environment.

    Mr. Harper can go one better- he doesn't care about the environment.

    As for lambasting Liberals on the international stage- that's getting a bit stale, like this new government.
  5. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: I am NOT a member of a political party. I dislike them all. If I have any leanings it would be to libertarian.

    Harper's remarks I think are correct. They are pragmatic and in my books that beats rhetoric and emotionally laden hornswoggle.
  6. Zaphod Beeblebrox from Regina, Canada writes: Thank God for PMSH and his having the gonads to call a spade a spade. The previous Liberal government signed us up to the Kyoto farce, and in the 5 years following proceeded to do absolutely nothing to reduce pollution levels in Canada. Now when in opposition, they demand the government reach the impossible targets set forth in Kyoto. The fact that doing so would utterly devastate Canadian industry is just a minor detail that doesn't really seem to register with them. What a bunch of do-nothing hypocrites. It was quaint for Stephan Dion, the well known citizen of France, to name his dog Kyoto. I could name my dog One Hundred Million Dollars, but it doesn't mean I will be wealthy anytime soon.
  7. Matthew Harper from Toronto, Canada writes: Is it still 2006? Is Harper still beating this drum? Rona, is that you??? Shoot, I wish I really was a year younger.
  8. J B from Ottawa, Canada writes: “We need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions with strategies that are comprehensive, practical and realistic,” i.e.: ...with strategies that are acceptable to corporate interests.
  9. Upper Canadian born and raised in Western Canada from St Albert, Canada writes: Ken Lawson:

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers the '80's, although only a child, it was customary in my household to watch the news every night.

    The mind, it's such a sponge, isn't it?
  10. Michael H from Edmonton, Canada writes: What a small man. They are completely disingenuous about their own intents on GHG emissions. Then, at every opportunity, they have to air their contempt for the LPC. It's an embarassment. Really, all that Harper is trying to do is strengthen the reception of his own policies in Canada. Those policies are largely repackaging LPC programs into less effective programs and then selling them as original. In other reports, we find how Harper undermined years of establishing a fair position on the Israel-Palestine conflict and that the message that Canada now takes a heavily biased pro-Israel position has been heard loud and clear in the Middle East. In doing so, it probably pushed us up the list on terrorist targets (since the stated political goal is to rid the Middle East of Western influence in regional politics). What a wonderfully dark, bitter, hostile man. Canadians should judge accordingly. Harper is not fit to lead a country. It's time he went back to his true calling at the National Citizens Coalition and left the representation of Canada abroad to the more mature.
  11. Michael H from Edmonton, Canada writes: The other point is that Harper is pushing an intensity-based reductions program. He already knows that this was what the previous government stuck to for most of its term after signing Kyoto. He also knows that Canada succesfully made significant reductions in intensity-based emissions under the LPC and yet our emissions rose substantially. Therefore, he already knows that his intensity-based plans are doomed to failure. Finally, he knows that he played no small part in pressuring the LPC NOT to act on GHG emissions by, among other things, playing the regional card and, as per his character, playing the politics of division.
  12. Violet Eichorn from Vancouver, Canada writes: Harper is just telling it like it is. The Libs screwed things up and now they sit in opposition and complain about the mistakes they themselves are responsible for. At least the NDP, the Bloc and the Greens can pretend they could do a better job.....we know from experience that the Libs sure can't.
  13. Mark Lanovaz from B.C., writes: I am pleased that the prime minister is exposing this farce called 'Kyoto'.
  14. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Many posters seem to have great affection for the terms 'disgrace' and 'embarrassment'. I won't resort to those, but I do wish that Mr. Harper could find a way to be more statesmanlike when he is representing Canada abroad. It is true that many leaders use foreign venues to speak to their domestic audiences, but most seem able to stay away from partisan subject matters. Mr. Harper can't seem to bring himself to do that. Indeed, when he was in opposition, he travelled to the US to broadcast his objection to Canada's declining to join the Coalition of the Willing in Iraq. In other words, he apologized for Canada's foreign policy decisions on the airwaves of another nation. In my opinion, Mr. Harper displays poor judgment in using the APEC stage to engage in domestic politics.
  15. Ravinder Mlait from Vancouver, writes: PM Harper is absolutely right to call a spade a spade. It is a fact that Liberals simply paid lip service to the environment during their tenure. And Liberals know this themselves, recall that the recent Liberal 'renewal' love fest they initiated prior to the Liberal leadership. One of the Liberal Senators said that the Liberals did very little for the environment except set up a network of sham programs. PMSH is talking about REAL change and what REAL CHANGE will cost the Canadian taxpayer. I am one Canadian who appreciates straight talk from our PM! Excellent stuff!
  16. Valerie Spentzos from Vancouver, Canada writes: I'm sure the Apec leaders are fascinated by the past political party wrangling and attempted one-upmanship that is the best Harper can do in the way of presenting a cohesive environmental platform. There is a difference between domestic squabbling and international statesmanship, but some people seem unable to comprehend this simple fact. It's embarrassing.
  17. David Blott from Moncton, NB, Canada writes:

    I for one am getting tired of this clown who calls himself a Prime Minister berating his domestic opponents on the world stage. Notwithstanding the appalling record of the Liberals on Kyoto, Stephen Harper fought everything they attempted to do tooth and nail. I suspect he forgot to mention that to his world audience.
  18. James Tod from Canada writes: By giving another throne speech is that not killing the Clean Air Act? In effect quashing any and all progress on the environmental front law-wise since he came into office?
  19. Rain SCM from Vancouver, Canada writes: Same tactic, different PM. As Muldoon blames Trudeau for all of his problems, Harper blames the current Liberals for his short comings. Heil Harper!
  20. Jean Le Loup from La Tuque, Canada writes: I read a report, I can't remember where, which said that Bush referred to the APEC gathering as 'OPEC.' The report went on to say that the audience was silent throughout his speech. Oh yes, Harper is speaking to his home audience. Good thing that nobody knows where he is this week.
  21. martha stewart from Canada writes: Michael H - You really don't like Harper that much do you? :-)

    But I must chuckle when you wrote about him, 'as per his character, playing the politics of division.'

    That's how Chretien stayed in power for 3 terms, remember? Did you like him?
  22. Terry M from Houston, United States writes:

    Good for Harper, someone’s got to tell the world why Canada not only hasn’t met Kyoto targets, but has actually increased since it was signed and absolutely no plan from the start.

    When Harper gets back to Canada, not only should he round up those Liberals, he should give them a public spanking with a long paddle stick so they can pay for their humiliation. And this time he should let the press in so they can take pictures.

    .
  23. Neil B from The West, Canada writes: Harper is right to assail the previous Grit government for its inaction to fight climate change. He addresses previous governments, within Canada and worldwide, in his remarks. The Clinton/Gore administration during the 90's was another example of a government that talked the talk but did little to fight climate change. They were too busy enjoying the post-Cold War economy in the U.S. with a reduction in the arms buildup against the Soviets and more confidence in the fact that America became once again the only superpower in the world. Gore calls himself an environmentalist, but as the Vice President to the most powerful individual in world he did nothing to fight climate change; it would've cost too many votes. When he ran for office in 2000, he decided not to include any climate change reforms simply because it wouldn't win him any votes; I guess it didn't matter what he did in that campaign anyhow, because we all know that one turned out for him. The social champions (incl. LPC, Gore) are telling us all to move against global warming, yet when it came to politics in the 90's they didn't do anything to fight climate change. In the U.S. it would've cost Clinton/Gore votes (although to be fair Clinton didn't care much for the environment anyhow) in a red-hot economy. Same situation in Canada, where the spill-off in Canada and its manufacturing sector meant huge gains in Ontario and Quebec's economies. Of course the LPC did nothing, they would've hurt their electoral base. Now Harper's addressing it, and hammering away at it, if you don't mind me saying.
  24. martha stewart from Canada writes: diane marie - But how else can Harper explain Canada's lack of actions without explaining that the previous government did nothing for so long?

    Bush could do the same and explain that with Gore as VP nothing was done either. Wonder if he did?
  25. Alan F. from Vancouver, Canada writes: Harper is like Mulroney in that everyone else is responsible for the problems of the country. He seems to miss the important fact that his bussues in Alberta are responsible for the increase in emissions for the past 15 years or so. But then Mulroney and his student, Harper, don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant! too bad we see all through Harper and his Reform-Alliance syncophants! The sooner they are gone, the better for Canada and the world!
  26. WOHOO figure it out! from Kingston, Canada writes: Man I am for one sick and tired of hearing about the damn liberal record, LIKE IT IS ABOUT freaking time this government took responsibility for its own record and actions. GIVE ME a break, Harper needs to shut up and talk about what he wants to do, instead of talking about what liberals did and didn't do. For one thing when liberals were running this country’s priority was health care (not that they did great job of fixing it) but at least they didn&8217;t say every freaking day the cons screwed up health care. Come on man address the issues and tell us what your damn plan is and stop the freaking whining.
  27. Farhan Anwar from Toronto, Canada writes: I am not a big of the liberals, since turning 18, I have always voted PC and then finally last two elections I voted Conservatives, I didnt have any problems with harper before.

    but this man, out on foreign soil, takes domestic political jab? this man doesnt have any decency. This Is Not The Canadian Way.

    I will vote liberal next election, just to keep indecent folks out.
  28. jack sprat from calgary, Canada writes: The lowest of the low. After 20 months he defends his OWN record by blaming Liberals. He has done LESS than the Liberals in that time and, in fact, cut programs like Energuide and other emissions reducing programs. He is the one paying lip service and he is the one who cannot be trusted. he is on the record of not believing in global warming. Now he does? His lips say yes, his actions support his previous statements. He is a proven liar and with the last election advertising money laundering scheme, a proven scammer.

    He cannot be trusted and this latest low class demonstration only shows why we need him to go.

    Harper is not a leader.

    ABC
  29. Sylvia Wilson from Canada writes: What specifically did Harper say about reducing carbon gases, “We're leaving it up to business to decide how to reduce their emissions,” he said. “They know best how to run their operations.” Oh sure the worst polluters will tighten their belts and voluntarily reduce their emissions. If anyone believes that I have a bridge ... What's needed are regulations with teeth that enforce them. Canada signed the Kyoto Agreement and now is backing out of the agreement which makes us a nation of liars. We signed on to Afghanistan and because of our signature on the dotted line, we absolutely 'must' stay until the agreement ends.
  30. david sandford from Canada writes: He just doesn't look like a leader when he slings mud like this. If he'd stop, he'd be that much much closer to a majority.
  31. Dave Goulden from Calgary, Canada writes: Yawn. Maybe the 'new' government could starting talking about their GHG initiatives?
  32. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: A minority government in Canada must work with the opposition parties to have a bill pass or the opposition will delay or kill it.

    For this reason Canadians need to be reminded that the power to pass bills during a 13 year majority Liberal government cannot be compared to the limited power of a minority Conservative government.

    If the Conservatives obtain a majority government they had better put concrete environmental bills on the table or they will be guilty of inaction like the Liberals who wasted a decade with promises on environmental issues with little to show for it.
  33. Matthew Rockall from Mission, Canada writes: If someone takes on a new job, how long can they blame their failings on their predecessor? In my opinion, they can't at all. As a new employee in any business environment I've ever been in, it is your responsibility to identify opportunities for improvement, come up with strategies, and then implement them. It is unprofessional to attack whoever you replaced. You make the changes and show your worth that way. After 18 months, you should have plenty to talk about...
  34. Terry M from Houston, United States writes:

    Alright Liberal posters, just give up already.

    Liberal insiders have already publicly admitted they were not going to do anything. They just didn’t get it done. Put on your thinking caps and remember back to Paul Martin, he was concerned about national daycare, legalizing illegal drugs and bashing the Americans. Martin was not walking around saying the top priority for Canada was Kyoto or the environment.

    Please just give it a break, it is embarrassing already and stop whipping a dead horse.

    .
  35. ralph klein from Canada writes: thant you Stephen Harper for telling it like it is . enough of this liberal , kyoto , green lobby - ' emission driven climate change' witchcraft . yeah , yeah ,yeah pollution is bad --- tough not to agree on that but crippiling , Alberta and the rest of the west , the only part of the countries economy firing on all cylinders, to win votes in the east is inane .
    .
    note to the ROC - back off and let us run the show-- you had your chance and ya messed it up . now its our turn .. stop cryin' . and if any of you actually want to work there are pleanty of jobs out here in wild rose country..
    .
    .--on second thought .... go ahead vote us out of office and impose kyoto....the $ 14 billion we send each and every year to eastern canada via the asymmetric taxation of equalization will build a lot of roads and hospitals here in gods country once we seperate :)

    www.freealberta.com-www.republicofalberta.comwww.westernblockparty.com
  36. martha stewart from Canada writes: Alan F. from Vancouver writes: 'Harper is like Mulroney in that everyone else is responsible for the problems of the country. He seems to miss the important fact that his bussues in Alberta are responsible for the increase in emissions for the past 15 years or so.'

    You're funny Alan. First you complain that Harper and Mulroney blame everyone else for problems then you blame someone in Alberta for 'the increase in emissions' ... gee, are there less cars in Vancouver or BC now?
    Shut down the Burrard coal-fired plant that powers your computer?
  37. Neil B from The West, Canada writes: Alan F. from Vancouver, Canada writes: too bad we see all through Harper and his Reform-Alliance syncophants! The sooner they are gone, the better for Canada and the world! I'd say the same thing about the Liberal Party of Canada.
  38. Jack Ryan from VictoriaSaskatoon, Canada writes: Kudos to Harper for recognizing that he was wrong on GHG. It does take a bit of a statesman to realize your stance was wrong. I'm also very glad that it only took him a little of a year in power to realize it. I am very disappointed that it took the Liberals over 10 years to figure it out, (9 when in power) and then only when they were in opposition. We may believe the PM isn't moving fast enough, but he is moving a lot faster than the Liberals.
  39. M Horon from calgary, Canada writes: Mike H. All emission reductions are accomplished by one of two methods: Stop emitting, or reduce emission intensity. There is no other way. Intensity based emission reduction is the methodology by which reductions are accomplished. They are the means to achieve the end. The amount by which intensity is reduced relative to production determines the level of hard reduction. Both emission intensity reduction and hard targets must be clearly defined in order to be effective. Would you not agree?
  40. Hunteroffortune Alberta from Canada writes: Alan F. from Vancouver, Canada writes: Harper is like Mulroney in that everyone else is responsible for the problems of the country. He seems to miss the important fact that his bussues in Alberta are responsible for the increase in emissions for the past 15 years or so. But then Mulroney and his student, Harper, don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant! too bad we see all through Harper and his Reform-Alliance syncophants! The sooner they are gone, the better for Canada and the world!

    Hate to burst your bubble, but Alberta is not the major emittor, look to Ontario and all those coal spewing plants. Alberta has had ZERO smog days, how about Ontario? Alberta has more wind turbines than all of the rest of Canada combined.

    So, hate to get in the way of your rant Alan, but maybe it's you who should check your facts.
  41. bob gervitz from Buffalo, United States writes: Harper is right of course, in that it will be very difficult to justify, or perhaps accept would be a better word, action on the environment unless economic prosperity is assured. But that sensible point is NOT why people are criticizing Harper. They are criticizing him because a) he didn't acknowledge addressing environmental problems were important AT ALL until he found out people actually cared about it (and perhaps even then he didn't at first), and b) because his whole platform seems obsessed with blaming the previous government for everything and anything. We're tired of that. This is now, Harper you are the Prime Minister. Do something. Stop blaming somebody else. Five years ago doesn't count, tomorrow does. Get on with it. What's the plan? Focus on that. Be positive. We can do it. We can prosper AND we can improve the environment. Stop whining. Leave that to the Opposition, that is their job. Don't wait for the next gov't to get into power and start whining about Harper - he never did anything. You've now been there for two years yourself; get with it. But frankly, I think we will have to endure a lot of pain both economic (if we do something now) or weather damage/health-related (if we don't). You can pay me now or pay me later, as they say.
  42. shizdan clause from British Columbia, Canada writes: If it is never given the priority it should, than why mention economic prosperity as a sort of antipode in the previous sentance? I mean thats a loaded term.
  43. Reg Anderson from Canada writes: What can I say? Harper is a divider. He's been doing it since he took office. The fact that his supporters think this is somehow good for Canada will go down a one of the biggest deceptions in Canadian political history.
  44. R L from Calgary, Canada writes: Last night upon his arrival, I said it won't take long before Stephen Harper airs Canada's dirty laundry (i.e. domestic politics) to yet another foreign audience... And here he is blabbing off about the 'former government' on the very first day of visit to his fellow Shrub (and this being 1.5 years after the election, he's still going on about the former government). What other PM or President has such low class! And how much more embarrassment must we take as Canadians from this Reform Party gong show?!
  45. aloysuis paczjoskteyochuk from Canada writes: I might as well voted Liberal, I can not believe that I wasted my vote voting for a prime minister that after all this time as prime minister has not got out of the ' the liberals did this, the liberals did that' mode. I hope that all the other leaders at the summit do not waste their time there whining about what their predecessors did or did not do at home, who cares, discuss something productive and get results for the future.
  46. Jim Goodwin from Canada writes: To paraphrase a conservative advertisement: PMSH is not a statesman. Everything is partisan to these guys. Divide and conquer. My God he even praised himself this week. PMSH is not a leader, he does not delegate. He micromanages.
  47. W M from Canada writes: bill johnson from Quebec, Canada writes: 'Sad to see China is still evading its responsibility of responsible growth.'

    Yup, so am I Bill. They seem intent on blaming the problem on other countries and saying that they see no reason why they should be excused for keeping their heads firmly planted up there backsides until the other countries start taking serious action. Does that kind of bogus argument sound familiar to you, Bill?

    On the other hand, until a few decades ago Canadians emitted 20 to 30 times as much CO2 per person as the Chinese and we still emit 4 to 7 times more per person. Then there is the fact that Western countries (plus Russia and Japan) have been responsible for 95% of all of the CO2 added to the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels throughout all of history, so as short-sighted as the Chinese argument is, there is at least a modicum of validity to their argument (which is the only thing that distinguishes it from your argument, Bill).
  48. Lying Brian from Edmonton, Canada writes: Harper sure seems paranoid these days. Can't say anything good about himself, say something bad about the other guy. So when do the training wheels come off your 'government',Stevie?
  49. Vern McPherson from writes: 1/ ''Kyoto is essentially a socialist scheme to suck money out of wealth-producing nations,' Harper's letter reads. '

    2/ 'Accord based on 'contradictory' data: Harper
    He writes that it's based on 'tentative and contradictory scientific evidence' and it focuses on carbon dioxide, which is 'essential to life.'

    Yet when the polls started to show in 06 and early 07 the enviornment was important to Canadians Harper reacted and discovered CO2 right quick. He also fired his ine3pt Minister and replaced using s known dog biter. LMAO !!! Stephen the enviornmentalist. What a liar.

    By the way why does he insist in ignorant electioneering when in foreign countries ? No one in Aussie votes in Canada elections.
  50. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: martha stewart:-- Is he required to explain, as if a whining child to a scolding parent, Canada's lack of action? Were such explanations demanded of him at APEC? I think not. Does he believe that he brings any credibility to the matter, given his previous views (as explained in the article) and earlier stance while in the opposition benches? Does he think that first cancelling and then reviving the programs of the previous government lend his own any great credibility? And, lastly, does he think that allowing the Clean Air Act to die on the order paper enhances the CPC's image as a government intent on moving forward?
  51. Jim Cohoon from Chilliwack, Canada writes: Mr. Harper's remarks directed at the Liberals are clearly petty, but on a larger scale and of broader concern: Is there any one of the so-called 'leaders' at APEC of the quality of genuine adultness, never mind true leadership ability, that can inspire any genuine confidence for the future of humanity on this planet? The challenges ahead are monumental. With few exceptions, this decade's pathetic vintage of 'leaders' at best just don't 'get it', and at worst, behind the public rhetoric, don't give a d--- for the future of this planet. Our civilization is in a very dangerous state of affairs with such persons in charge. Though it may win elections, primitive Neanderthal posturing (on terrorism) and self-serving linear logic (on economics vs the environment) will not get us through. We must collectively stop doing what leaders like Mr. Harper (for one) does so often -- deny responsibility and blame others. With regards to this planet, we must all try to find the honesty to take responsibility and the courage to act responsibly. Only then will we either find ourselves electing truly responsible leaders, or better still, discovering that we really don't have as much need for 'leaders' at all.
  52. Cheap Skate from Canada writes: With hishandup likethat in the accompaning picture is Stevie pretending to be the kettle or the pot? His made in Canada scheme resulted in the joke of a minister being removed from post. The replacement still doesn't believe that climate change is real. Steve only buys in because the polls tell him that he better start paying lip service. Have you noticed that Steve always gets it wrong first, then gets it right when the national papers tell him why he is wrong, then he changes his story but goes on holiday before implementing the bill in parliment?
  53. W M from Canada writes: Hunteroffortune Alberta from Canada writes: 'Hate to burst your bubble, but Alberta is not the major emittor, look to Ontario and all those coal spewing plants. Alberta has had ZERO smog days, how about Ontario? Alberta has more wind turbines than all of the rest of Canada combined.'

    Great Hunter, let's say we all buy that. Let's say we even pretend that Alberta wouldn't have any smog days, if it was downwind from the Ohio valley. That means that Ontario has the most to fix and is going to bear the bulk of the cost, right? Do you have a problem with that? As an Ontarian, I don't.
  54. S S from Western Canada, Canada writes: bill johnson from Quebec, you are so very right. It is sad. R. M. from Regina, I agree with you 100%. I have no affiliations to any political party and the what Harper says is very truthful and intelligent. People don't want to go go broke trying to meet Canada's Koyoto commitments so an equal ground must be found. Makes sense to me. J B from Ottawa, you've hit the nail right on the head. Michael H from Edmonton, hello! That's politics. Joe Clark wanted to increase taxes 5%. The Liberals went nuts, forced the election, won a majority and increased the taxes 7%. The people NEVER win. Just choose the lesser of two evils. I don't support Conservatives or Liberals. I support the party who best suits what I want at that time. My wants are always changing as is the country. They both have their benefits and their time to be in power, yes? Violet Eichorn from Vancouver, after 13 years of power, your very correct in your statement. The Libs got greedy and corrupt. diane marie from calgary, it is so very true that Harper can't seem to hold his tongue about domestic matters when he's abroad. That is a major flaw with him that really urcks me. Ravinder Mlait from Vancouver, your absolutely right. We need more straight talk and less political beating around the bush. I may not like it but at least I wasn't lied too about it. Rain SCM from Vancouver, yep the next crew will always blame the last crew while doing the same thing. The upside is, progress is always made however slowely it's done. Politics is a blame game. Jean Le Loup from La Tuque, ha ha ha, is there a speech Bush didn't mess up and tell his real intentions in? Terry M from Houston, United States, the signing of Koyoto by the Liberals was only to buy votes. It held no real merit. OK people here it is, the Liberals cut financing to everything and pay off debt and the Conservatives spend to rebuild increasing debt. That's how this country works. It's really pretty simple. A little time for both and it all equals out.
  55. Canuck In_HK from Hong Kong, Hong Kong writes: Sounds like the PM is gearing up for an election and this issue has been flagged by the pollsters as big-E (eco) issue. Frankly, I don't care which politician or party talks about the environment, at least it seems to be now firmly on the political agenda. Its taken long enough ! Even if you don't buy the precautionary logic behind an urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions, then the side benefits: better urban air quality, improved products and manufacturing energy efficiencies and improved industry competitiveness will be good for Canada. Let's hope this and other eco-issues stay at the top of the political agenda during the next election campaign (including: bioneering and eco-ventures in alternative technologies and eco-innovation business initiatives, strengthening food safety, smart growth planning for liveable cities and towns, support for organic farming including niche markets and product development, watershed and groundwater protections, strengthening our nation-wide biodiversity network of national parks and endangered species, and reducing the impact of megaprojects like the Tar Sands).
  56. Rick in Redneckland from Canada writes:
    God, doesn't this vindictive little man EVER do anything that doesn't have a bitter, partisan, petty flavour to it?

    He's about as Prime Ministerial as Rush Limbaugh.
  57. Mervin Hollingsworth from Saskatoon, Sk., Canada writes: The headline of this column hardly applies. It is the Globe trying to sensationalize a column. He merely pointed out when the Conservatives came to power there were a patchwork of programs that were not working. That was it in a nutshell. However, that's not good enough for the Globe.
    Harper made comments on the environment that I had not heard to date. Perhaps he would articulate the Conservative plan in a more fullsome way so that Canadians can better understand what the government's intentions are for the environment. To date it has just be a patchwork of announcements. Let's put the meat on the bones Mr. Harper.
  58. Patrick Matheson from Canada writes: Ok Mr HARPer... we get it (again). The past government is what why Canada is _____ (fill in the blank). Ok... so we are all screwed due to a democratic process that elected a government that did not include you... Yes... we are bad, very bad.. and I am say again that we... some of us... well... didn't see any other option... (you do remember Stockwell?) So great savior from the RIGHTeous... what are you going to do to earn the vote? Other than blaming the previous tenants and voters?
  59. S S from Western Canada, Canada writes: I'm not exactly sure why so many people are down on Harper and up for the Liberals. Keep in mind that whether the Conservatives are in power or the opposition they are the ones keeping the Liberals honest. When the NDP were the opposition the Liberals ripped us all (the people of Canada) off. Both parties are required to keep the other in check and both parties benefit the country in different ways. This keeps an equal balance. I was REALLY scared when the Progressive Conservatives were wiped off the map. That created a one party government that quickly went corrupt. The NDP and the Bloc are not powerful enough to control the Conservatives or the Liberals in a majority situation without the Liberals or the Conservatives existing as the opposition. This is relatively a two party country. If you look at the past 4 or 5 decades you'll see a kind of nifty little trend. The Liberals are conservative with money, putting little into social programs, the provinces, the military and health care but doing an awesome job at paying down the debt. The Conservatives rebuild the social programs, give to the provinces (well I'm hoping they will. Too early to tell at this point), rebuild and re-equip the military (whether you like it or not it's required) and bolster Health care. Together, and only together, they keep this country strong. No, we don't always agree with the choices and the moves they make regardless of the party but they do keep us afloat. What bothers me is how it's presented to us. Usually within a speech of lies. This is the first time I've heard something presented with no B.S. balance must be found between environmental protection and economic prosperity, or environment will never be given the priority it should. At least they're both working along the same line. They both want to help the Environment and they've gone worldwide with it. Isn't that a good thing?
  60. Vasili Yeremenko from Canada writes: When I listen the propaganda on the right wing stations they say that global warming is a myth. Why is Stevie care about this myth?
  61. S S from Western Canada, Canada writes: Vasili Yeremenko from Canada, it ain't no myth dude. It's VERY real.
  62. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: What a jerk. His government makes NO effort to protect our environment. About as dumb and nervy as Bush criticizing China. They do nothing and defect blame to elsewhere.
  63. Dwayne Allan from Canada writes: Harper should have taken a course in statesmanship, because he sure hasn't got any. Once again these Cons air dirty laundry on the worlds stage. Like the rest of the world cares about Harper's pet peeves and compulsive hatred of the Liberals. They have no influence on what happens here considering they can't vote in our elections and the thing that makes Harper act is by what the polls are showing. He's basically shown he has no class and is an interim PM and an amateur at best.

    Until last Christmas, Harper didn't even have the environment on his agenda. Then the polls showed that it was at the top of our list and Lying Brian pipes up gives Harper the nudge.

    What a hypocrite.

    BTW, where's Baird these days? Shouldn't he be showing us some signs of achievements to illustrate how much better their doing than the Libs? Or are they hoping if he doesn't get in the headlights people might forget about this issue?

    THX for the bedtime chuckle Stevie, you're almost as funny as John Tory.
  64. FLUVIAL SEDIMENT from Canada writes: SS from Western Canada, I'll tell you why I'm down on the Conservatives and up on the Liberals. Because I believe that all people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, should be treated with dignity and respect. Because the Conservatives MP in my riding, before that party actually heard about image management and what it takes to get elected in this country, was using my money to bombard me with disgusting homophobic and mysogynistic propaganda. My objections to this were ignored. Not thanks for your feedback but this is what I believe, just plain ignored. Now when they wanted my vote they were on the phone pretty quick. Ok so they changed their image, they softpedaled on the moral issues, they promised not to touch income trusts. Well we know they lied about the income trusts. And I am prepared to bet a large sum of money that they are lying about their so-called soft pedalling on social issues. So now the Liberals are also lying about income trusts. Big deal. Liberals will govern in a way that reflects my values. The Conservatives absolutely will not. I don't believe a word they say.
  65. martha stewart from Canada writes: diane marie writes: 'Were such explanations demanded of him at APEC? I think not.'

    It seems all the leaders had to explain themselves to their highly publicized critics. I see that China 'blamed' it on the UN more or less.

    'Does he believe that he brings any credibility to the matter, given his previous views (as explained in the article) and earlier stance while in the opposition benches?'

    But what was 'explained' in this article was not explained everywhere. Such details are lost in the bigger picture of the comparison of what is happening now and what wasn't happening then.

    'Does he think that first cancelling and then reviving the programs of the previous government lend his own any great credibility?'

    Yes. It demonstrates that he is not a rigid ideologue. He looked, listened and learned and then restored the best ideas. Intelligent and responsive management builds credibility.

    'does he think that allowing the Clean Air Act to die on the order paper enhances the CPC's image as a government intent on moving forward?'

    Bad timing I agree. But perhaps better to reserve judgement until we see what does come from this government in October. They learn. Could be much more Clean Air to come.
  66. Randy McClure from Canada writes: 70% of the increase in greenhouse gas emissiones during the Liberal years are due to Alberta tar sands expansion which the federal government encouraged through tax breaks and outright subsidies. Harper will do nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because he know it means hurting the industry that used to employ him and his dad as we as drives the Alberta economy. In the next election Harper will be positioned as a friend of Alberta interests at the expense of Canada. Peak oil will also be raised as an issue and Harper will have nothing to say about that either. At the end of the day we have the second highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions -- 15 times higher than China's so it is our duty to endorse Kyoto. We signed the deal and it is the honorable thing to do. If we don't we have nothing to say for ourselves and my young daughter's generation will curse our bones.
  67. Expert Eel from Canada writes: Proud Canadian from Canada writes: A minority government in Canada must work with the opposition parties to have a bill pass or the opposition will delay or kill it.

    So then Proud, why doesn't Harper stop slamming the opposition and work with them???????????
  68. S F from Brno, Czech Rep., Canada writes: My beef with the current government has long been based on their inability to stop campaigning and start governing. Finally, after two years, I thought they were settling down to work. Yet this adds evidence to the pile that Harper is not interested in providing good government while under a minority government, but rather his true aim is a four year majority. Even over a year after being elected he was unashamed to use Canadian news sources, and even Canada's national website (not the Conservatives' own website) to promote his 'new government'. Placing his partisanship on the world stage is, at this point, a poor way to show international statesmanship, and certainly a poor way to establish oneself as a 'world-leader' on climate change. The environment is an issue where true bi-partisanship is necessary to get the U.S. and China on board. Unfortunately, Harper is proving himself unable to put his party and corporate interests on the back burner. I won't even start on the fact that while the LPC was in power, Harper was shouting them down from across the room with his belief that global warming science was a delusion.
  69. S S from Western Canada, Canada writes: Vasili Yeremenko from Canada, I have the utmost respect for your opinion. Your quote ' I believe that all people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, should be treated with dignity and respect' is very true and falls on sympathetic ears if your MP, and I'm assume he or she does, feels differently. I'm truely sorry to hear that your MP is utterly ignorant and can fully understand why you feel the way you do. My MP, also a Conservative, has helped me out twice and is really active at getting things done. I don't think our two different circumstances are party related but rather individual related. Get your MP out of there at the next available opportunity. Party is irrelevant in those circumstances, the man/woman is a real jerk and is only in it for the money. They, obviously, have a warped sense of values that are not in relation to what this country was based on or where we want to go. May I add my own opinion because I think you may have misunderstood me. Believe NO politician EVER. They would sell there souls for a buck. I follow or favor no party. I watch the debates and follow the news and vote for the party that I feel will do the most for me at the time. They almost always end lying to me but what choice do we have. I guess you could say that I vote selfishly. They're all going to lie and try to cheat us regardless of the party. All I want to see in my life time is one single politician who will actually tell us the truth and put a major effort into standing by his/her word. I'll stand by mine and I'm sure 99.9% of the posters here would as well, why can't they? I feel your pain and WOW, get rid of that MP of yours. That's truely sad to hear.
  70. Mike Baker from Dublin, Ireland writes: Not content with spewing his bile on the national stage, our impervious leader lets loose this well-digested morsel for all the world to see. Clearly out of his box in the high-minded league of statesmen, our boy loses sight of the fact that the other APEC attendees probably care as much as they know about Canada's internal imbroglios.

    He might fool some of his constituents some of the time, but he can now count the international community as the latest group wanting to distance itself from this churlish pied piper of small men.

    For his next act, Mr. Harper will don a clown's outfit, cross Sussex Drive and scare the bejaysus out of Michaele Jean. I hope the G-G bears in mind the Conservatives' race with the Bush Administration to the nadir of social accord when she's asked to dissolve this parliament of duelling oppositions.
  71. spicydoc reinvigorated from Canada writes:

    I dug up a portion of a speech Al Gore made a few months ago:

    “For at least a decade most governments, including America's government, paid what can charitably be called lip service to the issue of climate change. Because they were unwilling to tell the public that reducing carbon emissions must entail real economic costs in the short term, governments responded to the problem with little more than political rhetoric.”

    This is clearly a swipe at Bush, who owns seven years of the last decade, and Howard, who has been PM for well over a decade.

    Can anyone argue that Bush and Howard are targets of this attack? No question.

    However, this is actually the content of Harper's speech that's drawing fire from the Harper-bashers.

    The headline is disgraceful; most people dissing Harper obviously didn't read the article.

    If Dion made the same speech, the headline would be stressing how he stood tall against the neocons Bush and Howard. 'Statesmanlike', and all that.

    Sometimes I'm actually embarrassed that people around the world can read our 'national' paper.
  72. John Brown from Maritimes, Canada writes: Now that he has it out of his system, maybe our fearless Reformative leader will get down to the business for which this summit is intended, to solve world problems. Time to stop laying the blame on the Liberals and explain how his band of merry idiots are going to fix the problems created by the past generations with more than just adding a luxury tax on top of the taxes for buying SUV's. A sure sign of a very weak leader with no mandate is to lay blame elsewhere and claim it will take decades to fix, just like the Liberals and the burdgeoning Federal Budget of late eighties and early nineties.
  73. Scot Loucks from GTA, Canada writes: Glad this is a fully moderated conversation...

    Just read the first one from Expert Eel.

    Nice. Zig Heil?

    Define moderated please.

    Will now go back and read all the rest.... but I would love to hear our moderator explain that one..... Zig Heil? wow.
  74. S S from Western Canada, Canada writes: Expert Eel from Canada, 'why doesn't Harper stop slamming the opposition and work with them???????????'. Easy, same reason that the Libs, NDP, Bloc and Independants won't stop slamming the Cons. It's like a huge game of king of the mountain and somewhere in the history of politics someone found that slamming your opponents worked and it's never stopped. I think the politicians think that the populace enjoys it or something. I'd rather see them all get together, stop wasting parliment time acting like children and to start making things happen.
  75. Scot Loucks from GTA, Canada writes: Vasili Yeremenko from Canada writes: When I listen the propaganda on the right wing stations they say that global warming is a myth. Why is Stevie care about this myth?

    -------------------------------

    Nobody says it's a myth dude.

    They only question whether or not Man is causing it and whether or not we as Canadians can do anything about it.

    The good part about it being thrown into the forefront is that we are again talking about POLUTION.

    That is good. :)

    Cheers
  76. Scot Loucks from GTA, Canada writes: S S from Western Canada, Canada writes: Expert Eel from Canada, 'why doesn't Harper stop slamming the opposition and work with them???????????'. Easy, same reason that the Libs, NDP, Bloc and Independants won't stop slamming the Cons.

    -----------------------------------------------

    S S you posted earlier that you were non partisan..... My comment regarding the refreshing change of non partisan posters on this thread apparently was not accepted.

    ----------------------------------------------------

    Go back.... way back ... to Trudeau / Stanfield.

    No wage and price controls. Trudeau the trainer. Trudeau the mesiah. The press has been there ever since.
    They took down Clarke. They took down Mulroney.... they are currently working on taking down Harper.

    ------------------------------
    Oh well.... this won't get posted...... Fully moderated.... LOL ... Zig Heil.

    Whatever.... I feel better for venting :)
  77. Scot Loucks from GTA, Canada writes: S S from Western Canada;

    Enjoyed your posts on this thread.

    Nice to know there are still intelligent people out there.

    Cheers and goodnight.... this may be posted sometime tomorrow afternoon. :)
  78. Rick Bernie from Toronto, Canada writes: It makes me so proud to have our PM on the world stage with such stellar countries. The US who have thrown out the Geneva Convention and brought back good old torture, China who apparently harvests human organs and whose human rights are so advanced, Russia and their wonderful human rights and environmental record. Canada should be proud to be among this group. In the end, it won't be any of these unbelievably myopic and just a tad greedy people who will decide on how the environment will wind up, it will be Mother Nature. All other conversations are moot. I'm actually enjoying the hurricane season and just think of the economic opportunities that will open up when all that stupid ice is melted in the north. Prime Minister Harper is right about those people who protest against APEC and all the initiatives of the greedy nations; they are pathetic.
  79. A Canadian from Cole Harbour, Canada writes: For at least a decade most governments, including Canada's government, paid what can charitably be called lip service to the issue of climate change

    If this is what this reporter is calling 'Blasting the Liberals' then this reporter really needs to get another job or better yet join the liberal party of Canada. Like some other posters indicated, he was calling it like it is. To all the liberal supporters, the truth may hurt but like it or not, thats the way it is.

    We should be all proud to have a leader that is actually not afraid to speak the truth on the international stage instead of just a bunch of meaningless words put together to look good on newspaper but that dont actually mean anything. Come on people wake up . What kind of society have we become.
  80. David Elliott from Canada writes: He can only blame the Liberals because he has nothing to show as a personal achievement. So, he blames the others.

    Losers blame others for their failures. Harper is a loser.
  81. Terry Quinn from Canada writes: It still strikes me as odd that Harper would lash out at Liberals on GHG emissions and Kyoto at an international meeting especially when his illegal election spending is being highlighted on some front pages by those same liberals.
    I just don't get it....LOL
  82. feo . from Fredericton, Canada writes: HARPER did not even believe in climate change until about 6 months ago. Talk about a flip-flop.
  83. Expert Eel from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from GTA, Canada writes: blah blah blah ... They took down Clarke. They took down Mulroney.... they are currently working on taking down Harper.

    ------------------------------
    Oh well.... this won't get posted...... Fully moderated.... LOL ... Zig Heil.

    Whatever.... I feel better for venting :)

    I'm glad that you feel better Scot, but don't you feel a little silly for being so wrong?
  84. Doug Rushton from Canada writes: 'to reaffirm his commitment to balancing environmental action with economic sustainability' Or, you could have written that the prime minister 'will not take environmental action if it has any significant effect on the economy that is responsible for harming the environment.'
  85. Myles Leach from Delaware, Canada writes: Isn't it ironic that Stephen Harper is slinging mud in Australia while his mentor Byron Muldoon is bashing his enemies, dead and alive, back at home? I guess the rotten apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
    Five years ago this flat-earther wouldn't even admit that climate change was real; now he wants to lead the charge against it? I hope that when he leaves Aus he makes that big right turn and falls off the edge of Steve-World into the credibility gap he has created.
    I'm sick of the low, mean-spirited rhetoric of Harper and his Conservative band of mud-slingers. Bring on the election and let's get rid of these sour-gas wind-bags tout-suite!
  86. A B from AB, Canada writes: Harpler is on the campaign trail for his quest for an election in Canada.

    Shameful use of an international stage for the usual CON-Speak of.......It's Not My Fault'.

    Why doesn't he brag about the very strong state of Canada's finances as handed to him and OberGruppenFurher Flaherty, by the out-going LIBS.
  87. Jason Roy from Nova Scotia, Canada writes: Dwayne Allan from Canada writes:

    'Until last Christmas, Harper didn't even have the environment on his agenda. Then the polls showed that it was at the top of our list and Lying Brian pipes up gives Harper the nudge.'

    Yes, yes, now I remember. The polls in one form of another that listed the environment as the #1 priority for people, whether it was implementation of Kyoto, etc.

    I also remember the polls that show roughly the same percentage who want these goals implemented also are not willing to ante up in order to achieve this.

    So, if Baird's plan at 8B per year is not enough, how much will Dion's plan cost? We are still waiting for that one.
  88. Love my Country Expect More From My GOVERNMENT from TO, Canada writes: Individuals are doing more than our government about the climate, personally we have made many changes at home and I drive a bio diesel car, my next will be a hybrid. To be fair to Harper he only acknowledged climate change at the start of the year and has not had a lot of time to talk about this 'inconvenient truth' to his mentor George W. We will have a very good chance to stop all this multi national meet,greet,travel,wine and dine,do nothing again nonsense soon when the next election comes. We will vote Green not for ourselves, not for our children but for our future grandchildren for they will pay the price for inaction now. GB.
  89. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes:

    After 18 months in muzzlement all that this clown has done on climate is lambaste the liberals, appointed and disappointed rona ambrose, appointed environmental buffoon and ignoramus baird to that portfolio, and dissed the liberals over and over again and done absolutely nothing for the environment... nada... zilch... gans goonisht...

    We are fed up with this muzzlement's constant anti-liberal profanities and lack of action on any major issue, such as pulling out of afghanistan.

    DUMP HARPER!

    before it's too late.
  90. Rex's Experiment from Canada writes: Did anyone actually read the article? Lambastes the Libs is a bit of overkill. The quote in the article states that 'previous world governments, including Canada, paid lip service'.

    He didn't lambaste the Libs. He blamed all the nations and made sure he included his own.
  91. JT From TO from Toronto, Canada writes: Yhe usual LIberal posters are quick to smear him here, but he took aim at all governments, including Australia, the US, and European countries. The fact that our's under the Liberals was the worst of the bunch is just one of those things.

    As for the substance of what he said, he is right, the Liberal strategy opf passing a law requiring the government to come up with a plan in 60 days when they did nothing for 13 years is not a workable strategy.
  92. Expert Eel from Canada writes: I'm glad that the G&M showed a little class and removed the Picture of Harper giving his Zeig Heil salute.
  93. Agathocles ofSyracuse from Canada writes: How can you criticize other people for not doing enough to solve a problem that you refused to acknowledge? At the time Harper and friends were opposed to doing anything, so how can he complain when he got what he wanted? I find his born again environmentalism to be disingenuous and opportunistic, and I believe he is on the attack in order to draw attention away from his own record.
  94. Pete Kauchak from Cascadia, Canada writes: Actually, this was one of Harper's better speeches He did not refer to the Liberals by name (in an international forum) and he was being honest about why they didn't act - the population wasn't ready for extreme measures and it wasn't just due to incompetence.
  95. Gerry Pankhurst from westport ontario, Canada writes: Yesterday the fuss was about a former prime minister of Canada speaking ill about a dead man. It looks like today will elicit criticism of the current prime minister speaking ill of a nearly dead opposition party. And life goes one.
  96. F/A josquin from van, Canada writes: Martha, who says 'Yes. It demonstrates that he is not a rigid ideologue. He looked, listened and learned and then restored the best ideas. Intelligent and responsive management builds credibility.'

    Like any good politician he does that s--- because the polls say he has to. He IS a rigid ideologue of the worst sort. Listening and learning for his own sake and his party, not for us and our interests.

    Odd that conservatives are always on the defensive isn't it?

    At heart a conservative regime (the traditional meaning) is at best anti-democratic (in its original sense) and must defend its stance at all turns. Conservatism is not a party 'of' the people. It is a party 'for' the established. It is the saviour of the institution. Throughout history conservative movements were the instuments to prop up the ruling classes. Put to a 'true' democratic vote, they rarely win, and when they do, they stay in power for mercifully short periods of time.

    A win is often the result of a frightened or cowed populace voting out of a perceived fear for their safety, and their property. Conservative movements do well when there is an enemy, real or not real.
  97. A J from somewhere, Canada writes: Quite the slant this article gives to the speech. Where is the entire draft? I believe what the PM said was true and he talked about the government, of which he was part (in opposition). It is also true that the two top polluters were not signatories of Kyoto. It is also true that the previous government did not DO anything to help climate change or be honest with us about how to do that (amongst other things).

    The article points out that the grits promised to do more next time they are elected. Is that part of the infamous red book? Never rings more true than