Poilievre voted against environment and climate bills 400 times during his 20 years as a Conservative MP in the House of Commons. (DeSmog)
Poilievre doesn’t give a damn about climate change. He’s for massive oil and gas expansion, whatever the cost.
At a Calgary rally in April 2022, Poilievre declared, “We’re going to clear the way for pipelines . . . south, north, east, west.” (CBC)
It’s open season for mining companies to pollute if Poilievre gets elected. He voted “nay” to bills that would hold mining companies accountable for environmental damage.
One of the bills he supported was Stephen Harper’s C-38 (The Tyee, May 2012). This Bill was so terrible that MP Elizabeth May called it the “Environmental Destruction Act.” Poilievre had no problem supporting it:
- Canadian Environmental Assessment Act ditched
- Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency weakened
- Environmental Protection Act undercut
- Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act killed (no government accountability)
- Fisheries Act weakened
- Oil and gas pipelines exempted from the Navigable Water Protection Act (DeSmog)
- Energy Board Act neutered
- Canadian Oil and Gas Operations Act made industry-friendly
Bill C-45 introduced in the fall of 2012 made it easier for the government and big business to push through projects (like pipelines), without strict government assessment, and to reduce the rights and the authority of First Nations. (CDN Encyclopedia). Amnesty International opposed it because it unilaterally disregarded treaty rights.
The Bill sparked the Indigenous Idle No More movement across Canada. Indigenous protesters in Winnipeg said:
- “Tell the conservatives they do not have your consent.”
- “We just want to be treated equally. We want you to honour the true spiritual intent of our treaties.” (CBC Radio One)
The Conservative government didn’t listen and the omnibus bill passed in December 2012. Poilievre voted for it.
Poilievre opposed Bill C-50 from the Canadian Labour Congress over three dozen times, before it passed in April, 2024. By enacting the Sustainable Jobs Act the federal government:
- Made sustainable jobs, compatible with climate change goals, and a shift to net-zero emissions a top priority
- Empowered workers with “the expertise to help decarbonize our economy” (Bea Bruske, President of the CLC).
- Ensured that sustainable jobs are decarbonized, created good union jobs, with good pay and benefits (CLC)
An election is coming. Some people are saying “It’s time for a change.” Consider carefully the change you’re looking for.
Poilievre will mean open season on the environment:
- Limited controls or regulation on land, water, or air usage
- No accountability from companies that pollute
- Disregard for the rights of indigenous peoples
Issues beyond climate and environment are equally at risk.
Advocacy Group: Lorri Rudland, Don Orr Martin, Ellen Woodsworth, Chris Morrissey, Farren Gillaspie, Pat Hogan, River Glen, Stephen Hardy, Adriaan de Vries, Daniel Cook, and Val Innes.
