The debate about whether global warming is a crock or a catastrophe will get steamier this week as the Harper Administration unveils its long-awaited green plan. I cannot tell you tonight exactly when that will be, but Rona Ambrose’s office told mine earlier today there will be a lock-up in advance of the release.
On the Hill, dudes, lock-ups are reserved for big news. They are also designed so that media flakes (are there any other kinds these days?) are forced to sit in a locked room for several hours reading actual documents, instead of just trolling for three-second sound bites. If it’s really important news, there are even sandwiches in there.
So, it’s coming. And today in Question Period two of the players in this enviro drama sat about fifty feet from each other, but directly in their mutual line of vision. On the floor of the House of Commons was Ambrose the environment minister, who the opposition pilloried for months, thinking she was an attractive Alberta lightweight they could trample. But Ambrose, so far at least, has stood her ground like a linebacker and gained a big following within the Conservative caucus.
Above her and looking on from the public gallery was Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party. Unlike the petite, angular, cool, brunette and impeccable Ambrose, May exudes an earth-motherliness punctuated by flying blonde hair, black glasses, an uninhibited laugh and lots of touching. It’s an interesting study in contrasts. Does it set the scene for conflict?
May insists no, as I bring her into the foyer of the House – forbidden territory, since she is not an elected MP – for an interview with MPtv. She says she’d be only too happy to congratulate Ambrose on a knock-out climate change strategy document, but quickly adds that she doesn’t expect to be doing so. I find the woman to be sharp, engaging and surprisingly political, weaving in anti-Conservative messages that seem to go deep beyond the environmental file. She’s also a networker, taking full advantage of my delivering her to this sacred spot to buttonhole Liberal environment critic John Godfrey and try to catch the eye of some of the media gods.
May is clearly frustrated that while she leads a national party with federal funding and candidates in every riding, she likely will not be part of any leaders’ debate in the next election or, for that matter, be taken seriously enough by these reporters milling around. So, this week is as crucial to her as it is to Ambrose. The stakes are enormous for both of them, just as they are for Canadians.
As I have stated, climate change is a defining issue, and this is a landmark time for a generational government. Either we will rise to the challenge, or we will not. Those scribes sitting in the lockup will be reading about mandatory emission levels, permission-based production, mandated clean air, water and renewable energy targets, the fostering of green technology and a strategy of sustainable development, or they’ll read about voluntary targets, an absolute increase in greenhouse gases, the economic supremacy of the oil sands and industry consultations.
A new green plan was not one of the government’s vaunted five priorities. It was not even a campaign promise, with the environment relegated to a trashing of Kyoto and a practical tax credit to get people on the train and the bus. But in politics a week’s a long time and eight months is almost a life. Now global warming is household stuff. An administration born of tax cuts and tough-love crime bills must react with conviction.
Unexpected, perhaps. But utterly unavoidable. And a moment now looking for a heroine.
