News Release

Minister Baird Responds to Statements by Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore 

OTTAWA , April 28, 2007 - With respect to the comments of former United States Vice President Al Gore, the Honourable John Baird, the Minister of the Environment, made the following statement:

"Former Vice-President Al Gore deserves acknowledgement for the success of his film in highlighting the huge ecological challenge of climate change. It is regrettable, however, that the former Vice President has criticized Canada's recently released action plan to cut greenhouse gases and air pollution.

"It is difficult to accept criticism from someone who preaches about climate change, but who never submitted the Kyoto Protocol to a vote in the United States Senate, who never did as much as Canada is now doing to fight climate change during eight years in Office, and who has campaigned exclusively for hundreds of Democratic candidates who have weaker plans to fight greenhouse gases than Canada's New Government.

"It is equally regrettable that the former US Vice President decided to speak out without ever having been briefed on the contents of our plan.

"The fact is our plan is vastly tougher than any measures introduced by the Administration of which the former Vice President was a member."

"I am ready to meet with Mr. Gore at any time to discuss the climate change threat and our Government's tough plan to reduce Canada's emissions".

For more information, please contact:

Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441

Environment Canada Media Relations
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008