A new poll from the Environics Research Group shows Canadians want Stephen Harper’s Conservative government to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem when it comes to climate change.
In the 2011 version of the annual survey, more Canadians named climate change and other environmental issues as the world’s most pressing problem than any other issue.
Fifty-six per cent of Canadians surveyed said they want the federal government to sign on to a new international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change, something Environment Minister Kent has suggested is not likely at COP 17 in Durban where talks are underway until December 9th.
Nearly three quarters of respondents (74%) said they would support governments setting limits on carbon dioxide emissions, even if that means higher energy prices.
In terms of domestic action on climate change, the majority of respondents (58%) said they would support a carbon tax in their province. In British Columbia, which has had a carbon tax for two years, 57 per cent of respondents said they agree with the tax as a way to bring down greenhouse gas emissions.
Harper has ruled out a carbon tax several times, including recently when he was asked about just such a measure in Australia where a carbon tax was put in place in July 2012.
For more on the survey: Environics
:te/cope 491