Members of the Conservative Opposition Party in Canada rejected Saturday’s proposal to admit that climate change is real. This is a blow to the environmentally friendly policy pursued by the new leader before the possible federal election this year. The vetoed bill entailed the willingness to address climate risks and make Canadian companies take more responsibility in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Conservative party leader, Erin O’Toole called on party members to rally on Friday to put forward an ambitious climate agenda to avoid being defeated by the Liberal Party. He urged openness with members when seriously considering the idea of overthrowing the Liberal Party in the next election, even if it goes against the party’s traditional thinking. He said that he does not want conservative members to be regarded as “climate change deniers.”
Policy Change
However, representatives of the Conservative Party opposed the adjustment of the policy change from 54% to 46%. In the last election, climate change was a polarizing topic. Although Trudeau insisted that the environment is a top priority, Canada failed to deliver on its climate protection commitments because politicians’ boycott of targets threatened the future of the oil industry.
Canada is the fourth-biggest producer of oil in the world and one of the countries with the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions. Supporters of Prime Minister Trudeau’s Liberal Party consider this to be one of their main concerns. It is expected that US President Biden’s aggressive policies in climate will lead to the aligning of Canada’s tough anti-unfavorable policies with Washington.
Virtual Meeting
Major Canadian Conservative Party members opposed the proposed changes to the book of policy because they realized that climate change is real hours after the party leader called on the Conservative Party to accept the changes.
At the virtual policy meeting held on Saturday, 54% of the delegates voted against the proposal to update the book of policy, putting that “climate change is real” based on the results published online, and the party is “ready to respond at any time”.
More Responsibility
The resolution should also give “severely polluting” Canadian companies more responsibility to support green technology innovation and to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The vote came only one day after Erin O’Toole, a party leader told the other Conservative parties that if they want to expand the party’s base, they must “change”.
O’Toole also added that if members hope to remove Justin Trudeau’s (Prime Minister) minority government in a possible early election in the next few months, they should no longer “ignore” the climate change reality. O’Toole emphasized at a meeting on Saturday: “The debate is over and climate change is real. We will develop a serious and comprehensive plan for climate change for emission minimization.”
