OTTAWA, November 27, 2007
- Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird,
today issued the following statement on the
release of the United Nations Development
Program's Report 2007/2008 - Climate Change
and Human Development. The annual report outlines
a human development index, ranking most of
the world's countries on health, educational
and economic indicators. This year Canada
is ranked in fourth place, a climb up from
last year's sixth place.
"This report reinforces what our Government
has been saying again and again - that climate
change is one of the greatest challenges facing
the world today."
"Canada believes that we have an opportunity
to work towards a clear and credible international
frame-work with effective short, medium and
long-term targets. That is what we have done
at home by introducing the toughest emissions
targets in Canadian history to reduce greenhouse
gases by 20 per cent by 2020 and from 60 to
70 per cent by 2050."
"Our Government has taken a leadership
role in insisting that any agreement on fighting
climate change must include targets for everyone,
especially the big emitters like China, India
and the United States, all with an oar in
the water, rowing in the same direction."
"Greenhouse gases and air pollution
know no borders and affect everyone on this
planet. That is why we need a deal that applies
to all nations, especially the large emitters."
"Canada will continue to work hard within
the UN-led process this December in Indonesia,
to ensure that the world heeds the warnings
on climate change. Our Government shares the
United Nations' belief that the upcoming conference
in Indonesia will start the process towards
a post-2012 agreement. We will work constructively
with our international partners to establish
a way forward on an agreement that is global,
balanced and achievable."
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Courtenay Resident Charged with Hunting Swans
out of Season and Unsafe Firearm Storage and
Transport
Courtenay, BC -November 30, 2007 - Donald
Hughes of Courtenay, British Columbia, was
charged today by federal Wildlife Officers
of Environment Canada's Wildlife Enforcement
Division with violating the Migratory Birds
Convention Act, 1994 and the Criminal Code
of Canada.
Mr. Hughes is charged with illegally hunting
and failing to retrieve several swans in December,
2006 contrary to the Migratory Birds Convention
Act, 1994. It is also alleged that Mr. Hughes
violated the Criminal Code of Canada by unlawfully
storing and transporting non-restricted firearms,
as well as unlawfully possessing and storing
a prohibited handgun.
The charges were laid by Environment Canada's
Wildlife Enforcement Division following an
investigation conducted jointly with the British
Columbia Conservation Officer Service as well
as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
is an Act that implements the Convention for
the Protection of Migratory Birds in Canada
and the United States. Environment Canada
investigations ensure that companies, governments,
and the general public comply with legislation
and regulations that protect migratory birds.
Environment Canada enforcement personnel
conduct inspections and investigations to
protect Canada's wildlife and environment
under the authority of a number of Acts and
Regulations including the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act, 1999; theSpecies at Risk Act
(SARA); the pollution provisions of Canada's
Fisheries Act; the Migratory Birds Convention
Act, 1994 and Regulations; and the Wild Animal
and Plant Protection and Regulation of International
and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).
Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
For more information, please contact:
Micheline Brodeur
Senior Communications Advisor
Environment Canada
