Canada's Reputation in Peril

OTTAWA -- Canada's international reputation is in rapid decline and the cause of this decline is directly linked to existing Conservative government policies. Not only is this disconcerting to many Canadians, it has negative economic and political implications for Canada.

"With Canada's reputation progressively declining, there is a growing risk that this will negatively impact on our diplomatic ability to advance Canada's interests, on international business opportunities and partnerships, on the goodwill shown towards Canadians traveling abroad, on our attractiveness for green investment, and could even lead to future tariff penalties on our exports," said Eric Walton, Green Party Critic for International Affairs.

Much of the recent criticism towards Canada centres on the current government's contempt toward climate change mitigation and its failure to act on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of meeting our Kyoto target of 6% reductions below 1990 levels, Canada's emissions have risen to 22% above 1990 levels.  Journalist George Monbiot wrote in the Guardian that Canada is turning into a "corrupt petro-state."  Other criticisms come from Canada's cutting of funding to foreign aid organizations, ignoring allegations of torture of Afghan detainees, voting against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and refusing to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

"Our businesses need to be concerned at this continuing loss of Canada's goodwill premium because it will hurt their international prospects as well as negatively impact on Canada's recovery from the recession," said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

Already, Canada is seen as failing to capitalize on opportunities to invest in environmental infrastructure and energy sources through its stimulus package. Over half a million jobs have been lost in the current recession and labour unions are calling for real action on climate change to rebuild the economy on the basis of sustainability.

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
C: 613.240.8921
media@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca