Mathew Chisholm and Robin Tress model Canada’s New Negotiating Uniforms at a press conference on the first day of COP 17 in Durban, South Africa.

“At this year's climate negotiations, Canada is standing on guard for the Tar Sands. It's shameful and irresponsible that our country negotiates in the interests of polluters instead of people,” said Matthew Chisholm at the press conference. 

Oil and gas companies have a huge hand in creating and influencing Canadian climate policy, domestically and internationally. This year Canada has lobbied to weaken European fuel standards so that oil corporations can expand tar sands exports, increasing extraction of one the most carbon intense fuels in the world. The Keystone pipeline, which would carry bitumen from Alberta to Texas, was pushed through by the government despite public outcry and huge environmental consequences, until construction was delayed south of the border. Just yesterday, Environment Minister Peter Kent announced that he would be promoting the tar sands industry in Durban, and sources indicate Canada will be officially backing out of the Kyoto Protocol before the end of the commitment period. Through these policy decisions, Canada is condemning the world and all its peoples to irreversible climate change, violating countless human rights and degrading our international reputation along the way.

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