Seems like Stephen is having a bad week all around
EU leaders miffed at Harper's summit cancellation
Updated Sat. Nov. 4 2006 11:15 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is facing accusations he cancelled meetings with European leaders to avoid facing criticism over his environmental policies.


Harper was supposed to take part in a Canada-EU summit in Finland at the end of November, but cancelled out, citing the need to stay close to home because of his government's fragile minority status.


But the PMO announced Harper still plans to attend end-of-the-month trade talks in Hanoi, and NATO meetings in Latvia just two days after the scheduled Canada-EU summit.


EU officials are upset that Harper won't attend the summit even though he'll already be in the region, The Globe and Mail reports.


Critics suggest Harper backed out in order to avoid tough criticism he would have faced at the summit.


European leaders are upset with the Harper government for abandoning goals set under the Kyoto Protocol in favour of their controversial new Clean Air Act.


The Conservative legislation sets no short term targets for reducing emissions, but puts a greater emphasis on cutting down air pollution.


Ahead of the summit, European officials announced that Kyoto would be on the agenda at the meetings.


One EU official told The Globe Harper may also have cancelled because he's upset that Peter Mandelson, the European Trade Commissioner, didn't mention Canada in a recent speech about Europe's global trade relations.


However, Harper's director of communications, Sandra Buckler, told The Globe the prime minister cancelled because of a heavy legislative calendar, the need to be in the House of Commons, and the fact he feels an EU summit is not necessary so soon after recent G8 meetings in St. Petersburg.

   

When will people realize the Kyoto Protocol is simply another way to transfer money to the Third World? Personally, I think we spend enough on them I don't really want more money leaving this country to go after bad. Kudos on downing the Kyoto Protocol, but Harper needs to stand up for himself and defend his reasons. Granted, that could be political suicide by not wanting to help the TW any more than is already being done. So maybe he's doing the smart thing.

   

I agree completely. The longer we pretend to be in Kyoto, the more likely we'll be fined withviolations and have to pay money anyways.

   

I think Mr Haprper has decided to return to his newest friend Mr Mercer.... spend some Quality time...

http://www.canadaka.net/modules.php?nam ... 948#417948

   

The whole program is bullshit and Harper saw through it as it truly is...another Liberal money scam. We do need a better program than what the Conservative government came up with, but spending a weekend chatting with the EU Elite ain't going to do shit to solve the real problem at hand. As much as I hate Taliban Jack, I think getting all three sides involved and coming up with a "Made in Canada" solution is perhaps the best way to deal with it all. Even this Conservative understands that. Besides, if the NDP and the Liberals have a say in it all, they'll have to shut their fucking mouths about it and move on to another problem....With what the Liberals left behind, there are many hidden away!

   

The EU can wipe their tears away with the Kyoto accord. It's worthless

   

It's amazing how the left have jumped on Harper for this, but if he snubbed the US, they would likely be as silent as church mice.

   

Overall the Conservatives have done a pretty good job, until you consider Environmental Issues. They have performed so poorly on the Environment that it may cost them the next election.

   

Well, the right have been praising Harper to high heaven saying what a good leader he is since he got elected. Well, in my books, a good leader faces challenges head on, not runs away from them. This no-show looks poorly for both Canada and Harper.

If he's the great leader everyone here says he is, why doesn't he have the stones to show up and take his lumps?