The Conservatives killed Canada's commitment to the Kyoto Accord shortly after coming to power last year. When they were in opposition they denied human activity had anything to do with climate change, and therefore, they argued that the Kyoto Accord was meaningless. Then during last winter's election, they campaigned on the basis that it would be impossible for Canada to meet its Kyoto commitments. So either they killed the commitment because they don't believe we're causing climate change (which is somewhat akin to denying the Holocaust) or because they are quitters. Take your pick.
Today, the opposition parties aligned to pass a Liberal bill that will require the government to respect Canada's commitments under the Kyoto Accord. Some Tories are saying they'll just ignore the law, which is not good government policy (Hey Stephen, if you can ignore a law without consequences, don't expect to see my tax return this year, cool? Thanks bud.).
Once the Senate approves the law (which it is fully expected to do - it has approved our commitment to Kyoto before), Canada will be bound by its Kyoto commitments once again. Nothing like a state flip-flopping on its international agreements to gain the international community's trust and respect.
All this means Harper and his sheep are going to be required to step up their environmentalism. They need to bring their target dates somewhat closer to this century.
More importantly, it shows the Conservatives are losing control of the House. This vote should have been, in some minds, a confidence vote. If it was, the Tories would be done and we'd be heading into an election. In fact, the Tories tried (unsuccessfully) on three different occasions to have this bill declared a money bill (which would make the vote a confidence vote). Just more evidence that Harper has lost control.
Expect an election sooner than later (say early spring), and expect a Liberal minority government. PMSD? Sounds good. Can't wait to make it happen.
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