OTTAWA, ONTARIO – November 25, 2009 - It required an Opposition Day Motion to do it, but most of Thunder Bay–Superior North MP Bruce Hyer’s climate change targets proposed in Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act, have been endorsed by the House of Commons.

The Motion, moved by the Bloc and supported by the New Democrats and Liberals, stated:

That, in the opinion of the House, Canada should commit to propose at the Copenhagen conference on climate change:
1. reducing, through absolute reduction targets, greenhouse gas emissions in industrialized countries to 25% lower than 1990 levels, by 2020;
2. the necessity of limiting the rise in global temperatures to less than 2oC higher than in the preindustrial era; and
3. supporting the developing countries in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to climate change.

Only the Conservatives voted against the Motion. Bill C-311, which has been stalled in Committee for much of the year, isn’t expected to face a final vote in the House of Commons until early 2010. However, the Opposition Motion contained the same near-term 2020 target and 2 degree temperature target as in C-311. A longer-term target for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas pollution over 1990 levels by 2050 was not included.

Hyer was pleased with the vote “While the longest-term target wasn’t part of the Motion today, the crucial 2 degree temperature limit that governs it was, as well as the more immediate 2020 target. This vote is represents progress for Canadians who have been looking for action on climate change for years – a clear expression of the will of Parliament, representing a majority of Canadians. The government must respect these targets and I sincerely hope Environment Minister Prentice develops a plan to meet them.”

The MP further noted that “The government now has an unequivocal expression of the will of Canadians with respect to climate change, and has an obligation to represent that at Copenhagen early next month.”