Green MP looking for follow through at COP27
Kitchener, ON – Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice is attending the United Nations’ international climate change conference as part of Canada’s official delegation for the second year in a row. He will once again be part of a small handful of MPs attending.
While the Green MP is hopeful governments will up their ambition at COP27, he also wants to see Canada follow through on commitments they made at last year’s event.
“At COP26 our Prime Minister made some splashy promises, but we have yet to see them materialize,” said Morrice. “A year later, and the governing party still hasn’t set a cap on oil and gas emissions, and not only have they failed to end international climate subsidies, but they actually introduced new ones.”
This year the event is being held in Egypt amid backlash about the country’s human rights record and handling of the event.
“It’s unacceptable for the host country of COP27 to be censoring the participation of their local experts and activists without explanation,” said Morrice. “At COP26 it was the voices of activists and Indigenous leaders in the streets that gave me the most hope.”
“While oil and gas executives are frustratingly part of Canada’s official delegation again this year, it’s civil society leaders and climate scientists that we need to hear from to ensure Canadians have an accurate understanding of the urgent action needed in the midst of the climate emergency.”
Despite the fact Canada signed the Glasgow Public Finance Statement at COP26 last November, as one of the four largest fossil financiers who signed on, they have not introduced any new policies in support.
“We know what needs to be done to meet this moment,” said MP Morrice. “The challenge remains the political will required to follow through on our commitment in Paris to hold warming to no more than 1.5C.”
Last year Morrice attended COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland just weeks after being elected as a first-time MP.
There he joined over 130 others in the Parliamentarians’ Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future, which stated that even if all governments met their current 2030 targets, the planet would still have 2.4 degrees warming in 2100.
He also joined the Global Alliance for a Green New Deal, an interlinked package of policy measures that recognize significant investments are needed to transform the way people travel, grow food, and heat homes – but would also create good quality employment opportunities.
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For more information please contact:
Rosalind Horne
Senior Communications Advisor
MP Mike Morrice
226-749-2198