Canada's image lies in tatters. It is now to climate what Japan is to whaling

According to a poll conducted in concert with the debate for which Mr. Monbiot is coming to Toronto, nationwide 2/3 of Canadians agree with the statement "Climate Change is Mankind’s Defining Crisis" -- with higher support in the east, and much lower support in the west where they have bet the farm (literally) on the tar sands.

So here I am, watching the astonishing spectacle of a beautiful, cultured nation turning itself into a corrupt petro-state. Canada is slipping down the development ladder, retreating from a complex, diverse economy towards dependence on a single primary resource, which happens to be the dirtiest commodity known to man. The price of this transition is the brutalisation of the country, and a government campaign against multilateralism as savage as any waged by George Bush."

It is simultaneously shameful and a relief to have my country exposed in this way. This government has hidden itself for too long.

You make the good and valid point that the oil mining is, in fact, to feed the insatiable appetite of America (and China--you forgot?). It's like the opium growers who are only feeding the appetites of heron users, many in the United States.

Other than that, you are in a dream land of denial. Global warming and climate change are for real... hope you're not in a house sitting on permafrost. Odds are, your an urban sort, out of touch with the truth of climate change. :-)

I certainly agree with one of the conclusions of your link... habeas corpus has been given up by both Americans and Canadians. We've become nations of sheep, manipulated by media and glib politicians. That's sad. But denying the science behind climate change, or citing the fact that the worst results won't happen before many of us are dead, doesn't really support the Oil Barons tearing up parts of Canada, does it? (That's meant to be rhetorical but you are invited to answer of course.)

Canbyte, in addition, regarding your link, there's nothing there to oppose taking global warming very very seriously. There is a serious concern about a clause in the current Copenhagen bill... if in fact clause 38 gives a world group control over Canadian and US money (which would be important to verify), then this is a horrific back-door move toward world government and needs to be stopped. These ISSUES are separate (climate change vs. world government) but, to the degree that they have been united in the current treaty, this POLICY (the treaty) needs to be changed... or blocked.

George Monbiot is a "Guardian columnist, lauded environmentalist and award-winning author" (Toronto Star). Besides not being involved in the tar sands Canbyte, what are your credentials and how about providing some support for your opinions?

I saw George Monbiot on The Agenda (TVO) and he is not anti-Canadian - in fact he speaks very glowingly about our people and our former excellent reputation.

"I've always had the standard international view of Canada, which is that it's a sophisticated, responsible, peaceful nation with friendly intentions toward the rest of the world. I'm sure that as far as most of its people are concerned that remains the case," he said. "But somehow a dynamic has been created within this wonderful nation which is allowing the government to do some terrible things."

I don't know what you need my credentials--which are pretty good--for. What statement have I made that makes you unsure? That you need evidence for? Let me know and I'll provide backup. Credentials are not necessarily good support and fall into the informal fallacy argumentum ad auctoritatem.

I don't know why you don't think I love Canada. I do. It is a much better country than the United States in many ways. What I don't love and what surprised me (and was pointed out to me by someone who loves Canada and was raised in Canada) is that Canada is the main country trying to break any global deals on reducing carbon emissions. That pains me--it would not pain me if it did not shatter my overly idealistic view of Canada.

truthlover, I was asking Canbyte.