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Climate talks must address social justice issues and strengthen climate objectives
July 30, 2008
Today a coalition of labour, environmental and consumer groups issued a joint statement at the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) talks in San Diego calling for stronger environmental targets as well as assurances that social justice issues will not be ignored.
"We met with environmental groups from across the US and Canada and we all agree that this proposal is seriously flawed," said Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour. "What we heard today in San Diego confirmed that without significant changes cap and trade will cost thousands of jobs and simply transfer the pollution to countries like China."
Government officials representing four Canadian provinces and seven US states are meeting in San Diego to discuss a cap and trade system to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The WCI partners released a draft document last week outlining the proposed system and are expected to present their recommendations this fall.
Today stakeholders were given an opportunity to comment.
Sinclair was part of a labour delegation which included Daryl Walker, newly-elected President of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union, BC Teachers' Federation President, Irene Lanzinger as well as labour representatives from Ontario, California and Oregon.
The coalition's statement was presented by BC Teachers' Federation President, Irene Lanzinger.
"We want to state clearly that our constituent needs are not being met by the current policy proposal and that social justice and equity issues have yet to be addressed," said Lanzinger. "The draft proposal does not meet what is necessary for labour advocates to conclude that these recommendations are good for family wages and job protection, or strong enough for environmental and consumer groups to meet the WCI's stated environmental objectives."
"While we recognize the efforts you have made to date, we urge you, as WCI partners, to significantly strengthen your recommendations and address our shared concerns," Lanzinger added.
Jim Sinclair renewed his call for the Campbell government to bring the public into the debate and to include labour at the table.
For more information: Evan Stewart, Director of Communications, B.C. Federation of Labour (604) 430-1421.
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