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Today's News
October 11, 2005: Environmental lethargy is one more example of a worn-out government
Environmental lethargy is one more example of a worn-out government
Vancouver Sun
EDITORIAL
Monday, October 10, 2005
The federal government is blowing a lot of hot air on environmental issues and its lack of action is threatening Canadians' well being. That finding comes through loud and clear in the lengthy report of the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, an arm of the Auditor-General's office.
And whether you think the concept of sustainable development is as important in human history as the industrial revolution or is junk science peddled by an international cadre of social engineers, the criticism of political inertia stands up.
The report takes the government to task for making bold announcements, which are often forgotten "as soon as the confetti hits the ground." Commissioner Johanne Gelinas accuses her political masters of failing to sustain their initiatives with policies, plans and structures that would allow departments to implement the programs, or track their progress when they do.
In some cases, the matters in question are of grave consequence to human health, such as safe drinking water. Ottawa has been slow to update quality guidelines, which set limits for contaminants, and has not lived up to its responsibilities to inspect water on aircraft, putting thousands of travellers at risk.
The audit found that as many as half a million people living in 600 first nations communities have no assurance that their drinking water is safe because there are no federal laws or regulations in place. Despite $2 billion spent to address the problem, the situation has deteriorated. The report warned further that a five-year, $600-million water management strategy approved in 2003 won't improve quality or safety on a continuing basis.
The report says Ottawa has done little to protect Canada's oceans and reverse dwindling fish stocks, or to address the problems of pollutants, invasive species or declining biodiversity.
It found that insurance coverage carried by operators of nuclear facilities is at levels established 30 years ago and no longer meets international standards.
The report says Parks Canada must upgrade its parks management plans -- half of those examined in the audit were outdated.
It also complained that the government has no policy on "buying green." Given its annual $13-billion procurement budget, that could make a dramatic difference to fledgling industries involved in environmentally sensitive manufacturing, recycling, alternative energy and conservation.
Gelinas blamed bureaucratic infighting and turf wars for the lack of coordination on programs that cross departmental boundaries. Programs and staff are often changed without regard for results and senior bureaucrats aren't held accountable, she added.
In other words, it's business as usual in Ottawa.
The report's wide-eyed surprise that politicians don't do what they say they'll do must be disingenuous. Liberal commitments to environmental action aren't meant to protect the environment; they are meant to win the votes of those who care about such things. Once the votes have been cast, there is no imperative to follow through.
It's a flaw in our system that governments too long in power see perpetuation of their privilege to be their over-riding purpose. The environment is only one of the many issues of concern to Canadians that are subservient to the Liberal priority of preserving the status quo.
What little governments do accomplish is typically limited to the early years of their mandate. After that, the pledge to public service mutates into a sense of entitlement. That happened long ago to the Chretien-Martin Liberals.
Unless there are political points to score, there probably will be no action taken on the commissioner's report, which will join dozens of others the government has ignored over the years. Canadians must come to understand that, in a vibrant democracy, they must not let government cynicism, greed and political opportunism supersede the public interest.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005
http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=65ed3673-74b4-4335-8a37-b49c5e52647b
Topic(s): Media News, Ocean News, parks and wilderness news, Pollution and Waste News, Poor Performers, Water News
Posted By ECOBC
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