Skip to main content

The NDP has reintroduced a climate-change bill that passed the Commons last June but died in the Senate because of the last election.

The Climate Change Accountability Act sets strict targets for greenhouse-gas emissions and calls for an 80 per cent reduction in emissions by 2050, using 1990 levels as a base.

It sets a medium-range target of a 25 per cent reduction by 2020.

"Our legislation sets tough but achievable targets that will ensure Canada does its share to avoid the dangerous two-degree increase in average global temperature that scientists warn us about," NDP Leader Jack Layton said.

Mr. Layton said he thinks the Liberals and Bloc will again support the legislation as they did in its first incarnation.

"I believe there is a very high probability that there will be majority support," he said.

Bruce Hyer, a rookie New Democrat MP who is to shepherd the bill through the House, says the legislation will force the government to re-think its entire climate-change policy.

"This bill is all about caring about our planet," he said.

Mr. Layton said it's important that the bill be passed quickly so it can be in place when world leaders meet for a key climate-change conference in Copenhagen in December.

Interact with The Globe