MP Earl Dreeshen says the motion at the Conservative convention to recognize climate change and make major polluters take more responsibility was too vague to support.
“I didn’t feel that what had been presented was very clear so I didn’t support it,” said the Red Deer-Mountain View MP.
“There was no discussion about innovation in green technology, no mention of what our oil and gas people have been doing with carbon capture and storage.”
Whether tax credits were needed to promote environmental solutions was also missing, he said.
Over the weekend, delegates to the Conservative policy convention voted against a motion explicitly adding the line “climate change is real” to the party’s official policy declaration.
The climate change motion had the fiercest opposition from the western provinces, with delegates from New Brunswick and Quebec showing the most support.
Dreeshen said the Conservatives already have environmental policy and have always been leaders as far as the environment is concerned.
“We’ve stated that climate change is a global problem. We’ve also stated it requires a global solution. That’s really been our position all along.
“We’ve always been at the forefront. Nothing has changed in that regard.”
He said Conservatives been clear that a carbon tax is definitely not a solution.
“(Carbon tax) is actually an impediment to our industries to be able to develop so we can actually have the money to think about new and innovative ideas.”
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Dreeshen was among the 54 per cent of voting delegates at the party’s virtual conventionwho voted against the motion.
He said such a close vote showed the motion’s lack of clarity. There were concerns that it would be misinterpreted.
“Sometimes you get well-worded resolutions. Other times they’re not that great, and they leave something lacking. If we’re going to say something, let’s make sure it’s clear.
“We have already stated our position is and what our emphasis is as far as the environment is concerned.”
— with files from The Canadian Press
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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