中国气候变化信息网 China Climate Change Info-Net

Federal Liberals Cut off Debate on Kyoto, Vote Expected Tuesday

OTTAWA (CP) - The federal government forced through a motion Monday to cut off parliamentary debate on the Kyoto protocol, over bitter protests from the Canadian Alliance.

The Liberals used their majority in the House of Commons to pass the motion 133-92 to shut down debate Monday night. The Alliance objected, saying there had not been enough time for a full debate. Environment Minister David Anderson said he agreed that closure is not the preferable way to go. But he said some critics, like Alliance MP Bob Mills, wasted Commons time by using 11 hours of time to talk about the issue.

The Commons is to vote Tuesday on a motion to support ratification of the climate-change accord. That motion is not legally necessary - cabinet can ratify international treaties without Commons consent.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien has promised to ratify the climate treaty before the end of the year.

Under the Kyoto protocol, Canada is to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.

Critics have said implementing the accord will cost billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.

The federal government says that's not true, and is reportedly offering new promises to protect industry from the cost of implementation.

(Source:The Canadian Press )