NDP Leader Jack Layton wants action from the Tories on the environment and he wants it before the next federal budget.
"We see this as a critical issue, and we think it is vital that the government take action," he told CTV.ca on Monday.
He listed some key areas where the Tories must act:
- Compulsory limits on auto emissions
- Hard caps on big industrial polluters
- The end of subsidies for oil and gas companies
"To have all that done by February, before any non-confidence motion in the form of a budget even comes on the floor -- that would be my ideal. And so we're going to work for that for now," he said.
Asked if he would move an actual non-confidence motion if that didn't happen, Layton hedged a bit.
"We're the only party that has voted against the government on all three confidence (votes)," he said. "What we have said if they are willing to change legislation to make it positive and productive, we will support that legislation."
For example, he termed the much-maligned Clean Air Act's intensity-based targets -- which requires industries to use energy more efficiently, but allows total emissions to rise -- as "completely unacceptable."
Layton said he was distressed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's comments on CTV's Question Period on Sunday that Canada would likely exceed its 2012 Kyoto goal by 50 per cent.
"He essentially said, 'there's not much we can really do about the fact that we're about to go over a cliff, so we're going keep our foot on the accelerator'," Layton said.
"It defies logic, and it shows that (Harper) really doesn't understand the magnitude of the global climate change crisis that's coming down upon us. And he's going to have to come to grips with it either intellectually or politically."
Canadians understand "the need to take precautions when faced with danger," he said.
However, he noted that new Environment Minister John Baird, who took over the portfolio last Thursday, seems to be using slightly more accommodating language.
Layton said his party voted for the Accountability Act and noted that the government accepted 20 NDP amendments.
Baird shepherded that bill for the government. Asked if he could work with Baird on the Clean Air Act, "That remains to be seen.
"It all depends on whether the prime minister ... are willing to acknowledge that most Canadians don't agree with them, and they're going to have to change direction."
Layton said Canadians will have to help Conservatives "develop the gumption" to change direction.
The Clean Air Act got sent to a special committee right after first reading -- something that's procedurally unusual. The move came at Layton's suggestion.
With Friday's defection of Liberal MP Wajid Khan to the Conservatives, the NDP's 29 MPs could block any attempt by the Liberals, the Bloc Quebecois and Parliament's two Independent MPs to defeat the Tory government.
"We're trying to use our influence and numbers in the House to provoke positive action," Layton said.
