The Canadian Youth Delegation (CYD) will meet with Minister of the Environment Jim Prentice in Poznan on Thursday December 10 as talks at the UN Climate Change Conference enter the final stretch.
Youth delegates will voice their concerns to the minister on what they see as Canada's reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogue on a shared vision for post-Kyoto commitments as well as the government’s proposed coalition with Australia and Japan, shifting away from emission reduction targets established at the UN conference in Bali, Indonesia last year.
Youth delegates will also argue for an ambitious economic stimulus plan that addresses the need for sustainable development and creating green jobs.
Canadian youth are part of the 83 per cent majority of Canadians (a figure released in a recent McAllister poll) who want immediate commitments to strong action on climate change, said Alex Doukas, CYD member and a resident of Calgary, Alberta.
"Canada's current position on climate change is completely unacceptable. So far, they have put forth extremely weak reduction targets which will leave our generation vulnerable to the worst effects of climate change,” said Doukas, a constituent of the Minister’s Calgary Centre-North riding.
"Minister Prentice needs to realize that Canada’s image as a leader is being tarnished as we continue to drag our heels at this conference.”
Prentice is set to arrive in Poznan this week for what many consider to be the most crucial part of the conference. It is in the final days when top elected officials from participating countries and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Boon join the conference for its "high-level" segment.
The youth delegation is making arrangements to meet with all opposition MPs attending the conference in the coming days.
