May worked in the Progressive Conservative government as Senior Policy Advisor to Environment Minister Tom McMillan during the time preparations were being made for the Acid Rain Accord.  Government leaders of that era were lauded for their political vision in negotiating the agreement with the United States after agreements for 50% reductions of sulphur dioxide had been secured with the seven eastern provinces.  In 2006, Corporate Knights honoured Brian Mulroney as the “Greenest PM in Canadian History,” partly due to his achievement with this important file. 

In addition to the Acid Rain Accord, Canada was a leader in the 1987 Montreal Protocol to stop depletion of the ozone layer and in 1988 Canada was the first western government to endorse the sustainable development recommendations of the Brundtland Commission. Also in 1988, Canada hosted the first international scientific conference on climate change.

Ontario Environment Minister Jim Bradley was also applauded for his leadership in staring down Inco, the single largest point source of sulphur dioxide in North America. Despite Inco’s efforts to have Premier David Peterson fire Bradley, Ontario regulated Inco anyway. 

“It was a time of Progressive Conservatism,” said May. “A time when partisanship was set aside, alliances were built, and political leadership was evident.

Prime Minister Mulroney had put in place a process where the environmental implications had to be considered for all government initiatives.  His vision was that Canada would be a world leader in protecting our natural resources.  In a 2006 interview by Corporate Knights, Mulroney commented, “I think the government has to reposition environment on top of their national and international priorities. It has to be an integral part of the articulation of a national series of objectives. Right now, it’s not. And only the Prime Minster can do that.”  In his acceptance speech, Mulroney called climate change “the most compelling environmental challenge facing the world today.”

“Prime Minister Mulroney suggested that Canada could lead by example. ‘Claiming the high ground,’ he said.  Unfortunately, instead, the current Conservative government seems to be dragging us into the ditch,” said May.  “Canada was once a global leader on environmental issues.  We may yet get there again one day but only if current political winds change.  I have hope they will and our country will again rise to the challenge.”

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“Canada should be continuing in Kyoto and negotiating the targets that would be palatable for this government. By withdrawing, we become a pariah on the world stage,” said May.

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, in its report “Paying the Price: The Economic Impacts of Climate Change for Canada”, estimates that the cost of Canada’s failure to act on climate change will range from $5 billion per year by 2020 to as high as $91 billion per year by 2050. Impacts on forests and coastal areas will be particularly felt in terms of hits to the Canadian economy. An increase in flooding, wildfires, heat waves, and poor air quality has already resulted in increased death and destruction of property. Canada’s insurance sector is seeing costs from storms and wildfire escalating rapidly.

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“Refusing to be a part of the global effort to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate will put Canada behind economically as other countries make investments in efficiencies and renewable energy. Canada has an opportunity to capitalize on a green economy and instead we are clinging to fossil fuels,” said May. “Withdrawing from Kyoto is an appalling decision. It will only hurt us—economically and environmentally.”

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