When I read reports that Prime Minister Stephen Harper skipped out on attending the UN Summit of Climate Change on September 23, in favour of a photo-op with Tim Hortons, I decided it was time to write to Harper and express my displeasure. I have included my letter to Harper below with links to articles about this story. I encourage others to do likewise and write to the PM at pm@pm.gc.ca immediately. Canadians need to act now to let Harper know that we take climate change seriously. Non-Canadians should also email Harper to let him know how his actions are affecting Canada's international reputation. I hope that this issue gets a lot of attention leading up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. And so, without further delay, my letter to the Canadian Prime Minister:
Hon. Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
I am writing to express my concern regarding reports that you were absent from the UN Summit on Climate Change on September 23 because you were attending an event at the Tim Horton's Innovation Centre. Prime Minister, I have to tell you that I am very disappointed that you would chose doughnuts over diplomacy, that the future of our planet means less to you than a cup of coffee and photo opportunity.
I understand that we are at a critical juncture with the respect to our economy and that, in the midst of a global recession, you would want to encourage large scale companies like Tim Hortons to (re)invest in Canada. However, the decision to attend an event scheduled to take place during a critical summit on climate change sends the message to the international community and to Canadian citizens that you do not take the issue of climate change seriously and that Canada's image on the international stage is not a priority to you or your government.
Prime Minister Harper, I participated in a Global Wake Up Call, organized by Avaaz, on September 21, 2009. The Global Wake Up Call consisted of 2600 events in 135 countries across the globe. The message behind this event was that people all over the world are deeply concerned about climate change and that we want our world leaders to sign a climate deal in Copenhagen that is a bold, ambitious, fair, and sets binding targets to reduce emissions. On September 21, I called your office and requested that you should attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in person this December and that you should send a clear message that Canada takes climate change seriously.
When I read things like "Our priority is the Canadian economy. Nothing takes precedence over the economy" (one of your spokespersons Dimitri Soudas) I think "my government cares more about money than people and our planet". I am glad my government is dedicated to improving our economy and creating jobs for Canadians, but to say that no other issue is considered just as, if not more critical, than this? It worries me deeply.
Please, Prime Minister, I encourage you to reconsider your stance on climate change and to take our international reputation more seriously.
Lastly, I would also recommend that, the next time you are craving some caffeine, you make a trip to Bridgehead, my favourite chain of Fair Trade coffee shops, located right here in our nation's capital and order a cup of delicious fair trade coffee or tea.
"Fair trade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fair trade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fair trade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping."
Thank you and I look forward to hearing more about your renewed interest in climate change and promoting a better international image of Canada.
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Hon. Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
I am writing to express my concern regarding reports that you were absent from the UN Summit on Climate Change on September 23 because you were attending an event at the Tim Horton's Innovation Centre. Prime Minister, I have to tell you that I am very disappointed that you would chose doughnuts over diplomacy, that the future of our planet means less to you than a cup of coffee and photo opportunity.
I understand that we are at a critical juncture with the respect to our economy and that, in the midst of a global recession, you would want to encourage large scale companies like Tim Hortons to (re)invest in Canada. However, the decision to attend an event scheduled to take place during a critical summit on climate change sends the message to the international community and to Canadian citizens that you do not take the issue of climate change seriously and that Canada's image on the international stage is not a priority to you or your government.
Prime Minister Harper, I participated in a Global Wake Up Call, organized by Avaaz, on September 21, 2009. The Global Wake Up Call consisted of 2600 events in 135 countries across the globe. The message behind this event was that people all over the world are deeply concerned about climate change and that we want our world leaders to sign a climate deal in Copenhagen that is a bold, ambitious, fair, and sets binding targets to reduce emissions. On September 21, I called your office and requested that you should attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in person this December and that you should send a clear message that Canada takes climate change seriously.
When I read things like "Our priority is the Canadian economy. Nothing takes precedence over the economy" (one of your spokespersons Dimitri Soudas) I think "my government cares more about money than people and our planet". I am glad my government is dedicated to improving our economy and creating jobs for Canadians, but to say that no other issue is considered just as, if not more critical, than this? It worries me deeply.
Please, Prime Minister, I encourage you to reconsider your stance on climate change and to take our international reputation more seriously.
Lastly, I would also recommend that, the next time you are craving some caffeine, you make a trip to Bridgehead, my favourite chain of Fair Trade coffee shops, located right here in our nation's capital and order a cup of delicious fair trade coffee or tea.
"Fair trade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fair trade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fair trade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping."
Thank you and I look forward to hearing more about your renewed interest in climate change and promoting a better international image of Canada.
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Links and background information:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Doughnuts over diplomacy - The Toronto Star, Sept. 24
The Global Wake Up Call - Avaaz.org
TckTckTck - The World is Ready - A global campaign to encourage world leaders to commit to signing a bold, ambitious, fair, and binding climate deal in Copenhagen.
About Fair Trade - Fair Trade Labelling Organizations
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Doughnuts over diplomacy - The Toronto Star, Sept. 24
The Global Wake Up Call - Avaaz.org
TckTckTck - The World is Ready - A global campaign to encourage world leaders to commit to signing a bold, ambitious, fair, and binding climate deal in Copenhagen.
About Fair Trade - Fair Trade Labelling Organizations
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