International News Desk – Will Harpers’ Health Scare Him into being Conservative toward the Planet?

International News Desk – Will Harpers’ Health Scare Him into being Conservative toward the Planet?

On January 26th of this year, our new Prime Minister sought precautionary treatment for a chest cold. Given his history of asthma, it is reported that he is susceptible to nasty lung ailments. This leads one to wonder: is this Conservative man capable of seeing the connection between environmental reform and his own health issues?

Harper himself has made the most obvious connection, stating in 2006, “We all have fairly serious concerns about the environment and about our health. In my personal case, we are talking about the contents of the atmosphere and I have been a lifelong sufferer from asthma. I am very concerned about my respiration and how this agreement (Kyoto) will affect my respiration.” Obviously, we are now led by a man unimpressed with Kyoto protocols and other ideas put forth by traditionally “?green’ parties. So what then, does Mr. Harper plan to do about the fact that Canada is one of the world’s biggest contributors (per person) of greenhouse gases? (The Independent Map of the World, 2006) What does Mr. Harper plan to do about the fact that these emissions are creating more and more cases of asthma each year?

It’s difficult to say, given that the environment isn’t one of the Conservative’s key issues. How can the environment not be a key issue when our own land is melting under the greenhouse effect and distinctive Canadian wildlife is paying the price? Harper says the Conservative Party will “stand up for action to ensure clean air, land, and water” in communities, but makes no note of how it will be done. He has precious little time to spare, given the short lifespan of minority governments such as his. How does he propose to deal with these issues when he hasn’t even got a plan? It sounds to me like an unsuitable man is leading our Parliament.

Yes, the Conservatives state they will “stand up for accountability, opportunity, security, families and communities,” but that is simply not enough when the climate is already changing and affecting our lives. It’s time for our Prime Minister to step up and see the truth staring him in the face. When you need a hospital check-up every time you’ve got a chest cold, isn’t it obvious what needs to be a priority?

Reference
The Independent (2006). The Independent Environmental Map of the World.