Canada's Environment Minister Faces Harsh Criticism, Calls For Resignation

[hatrack]

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The heckling and resignation calls have been constant during the daily Question Period. As the main voice for a new government that is dramatically changing Canada's international position with respect to the environment, Ms. Ambrose, 37, was tasked with weathering the political storm. Programs that public servants in her department had become attached to suddenly disappeared as the government looked for savings to finance a new "Made in Canada" plan to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The grumbling from public servants made it to the ears of Canadian environmentalists, who have been nearly unanimous in their condemnations.

The list of criticisms is well known. Ms. Ambrose has bluntly said that Canada won't meet its targets under the Kyoto Protocol for reducing the carbon emissions linked to global warming, even though it will chair negotiations for the second phase of the agreement for the rest of the year.

She has forged new environmental alliances with the United States and Australia, two nations that are criticized internationally for pulling out of the Kyoto process. She has kept to her speaking notes and avoided forums in which she might have to speak off the cuff, such as media interviews or committee appearances.

Her masters thesis at the University of Alberta was on the impact of emerging policy issues on Canadian politics. But the opposition has repeatedly singled her out for what they say is a poor understanding of her portfolio. "She does not understand climate change," NDP Leader Jack Layton stated bluntly in the House of Commons as he called for her resignation.

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060622.AMBROSE22/TPStory/Environment