In a move that has generated serious uproar in the Canadian government, the Conservative dominated Senate has defeated a climate change bill that was passed in the House of Commons by holding a snap vote while several Senators were away.

The move is shocking on several fronts.  Firstly, the vote took place while 15 Liberal Senators were away from the capital.  The vote to defeat the Climate Change Accountability Act passed by a margin of 43-32.  Even more shocking is the fact that the unelected body of officials known as the Canadian Senate overturned a bill that was passed by the House of Commons — government officials elected by the Canadian people.

Jack Layton, the leader of Canada’s third party, the New Democratic Party, called the vote, “One of the most undemocratic acts that we have ever seen in the Parliament of Canada.”

A government-appointed advisory panel says in a 38-page report the Harper administration has gone too far in estimating the potential results of its global warming strategy. The group also said the government's plan is vague and uses questionable accounting methods. The report comes as the Conservative government is being sued by green groups for its foor-dragging.

 

A Conservative policy committee has proposed broad domestic tax rebates for those who improve energy efficiency on homes they purchase. The group also called for caps on the energy use of major appliances and a ban on goods that exceed restrictions. Britain’s ruling Labour Party, not surprisingly, has questioned the Tories’ calculations.

Environment Canada released its 2006-2007 Report on Plans and Priorities yesterday. Touting their "Made in Canada" answer to our environmental woes, the government outlines four main priorities, one of which is to "address the long-term challenge of climate change and help Canada adapt to a changing climate." Notice the careful use of language: nowhere does this goal say anything about reducing C02, only that the government will work on accommodating the effects of an impending (and clearly undeniable) change in climate.