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It is hard to describe what it feels like to be a Canadian in Copenhagen right now.  Canada’s blocking tactics at COP 15 are seen as one of the main reasons the world might not get the deal done here.

We are top of the leader border in Fossil of the Day awards. We are rightfully dissed by international activists of all stripes.  Developing countries see Canada as a greedy, self-serving party at the table, unwilling to help their countries and the entire world solve the climate crisis. Our sisters and brothers from other countries commiserate with us.  This morning CUPE members rode the bus to the Bella Centre with trade unionists who just arrived from Africa. It was a low moment for us trying to explain why our country – a country formerly held in high regard – is now an international pariah.

But as delegates here, we don’t want sympathy or commiseration.  We are doing everything we can to push the government.  The chance for an ambitious, fair and legally binding agreement rests now on the Heads of State.   We need your help.   The CUPE delegation here wants all CUPE members back home to lean on our government in whatever way you can. Telephone, email, text, shout from the rooftops; whatever it takes. Tell Harper and Prentice and all your MPs that you want Canada to reclaim some measure of respect internationally, to no longer be seen as selfish villains; to – simply –do our part to save the planet.

In Global Solidarity,

Carolyn Unsworth, Robert Coelho,  Charles Fleury, Nathalie Stringer, Matthew Firth, Pam Beattie