Minority Conservative government asked to give new direction to Canadian diplomats at UN convention in Bonn

Representatives of Canadian environmental groups attending the UNmeeting on climate change in Bonn are demanding that Canadian diplomatsbe given new negotiating instructions that better reflect the decisiontaken today by the House of Commons.

Environment representatives in Bonn believe diplomats shouldpresent the decision taken today by the House of Commons to delegatesin Bonn as an expression of Canadians' support for meeting our KyotoProtocol target. The new negotiating instructions should expressCanada's willingness to take its fair share of future and additionalemissions reductions.

"Moreover, the current Canadian position in Bonn weakens UNnegotiations on climate change and implies 'voluntary' BushAdministration-led initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Partnership.This does not reflect the decision made today in the House", says HugoSéguin, climate coordinator for Québec-based Équiterre.

"Without changing our negotiating position, we have nothing tosay about future legally binding emissions reduction commitments andnothing to offer to our traditional international partners, includingdeveloping countries" says Louise Comeau from the SAGE Center.

"Climate change is real. It is happening right now and wealready feel its destructive impacts in Canada. This minoritygovernment should stop doubting the science, take a tour of thecountry's melting arctic and take directions from the majority ofCanadians. As the vote in the House should make clear to them,decisions are made in Canada, not in the White House, and not by Bush'sspin-doctors", says Steven Guilbeault from Greenpeace.