Bill C311 is the Climate Change Accountability Act. It is a private members bill orginally tabled as Bill C377 in 2006 by the Honourable Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. (1)
Amongst other things, Bill C311 would require parliament to use science to guide Canada's climate change policy. It would also require the Canadian government to follow our international legal obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) unlike what we did for the Kyoto Protocol.
The first time Bill C311 went through parliament it passed through the House of Commons even though the Conservative Party of Canada opposed it. However, when Bill C311 went on to the Senate, it did not receive royal ascent. It had to start all over again.
At Christmas time I got a hopeful message from my Member of Parliament that Bill C311 passed second reading in the House of Commons. I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be wonderful for Canada to have Bill C311 passed in to law in time for the G-8 and G-20 meetings we are hosting in June." Then Parliament was prorogued.
At first when parliament was prorogued, I was under the impression that Bill C311 would have to start its journey from scratch when Parliament resumes because of an article I read (2). This is not true. Upon further investigation, I stumbled upon an obscure parliamentary rule from about 15 years ago: private members bills are not killed by proroguing parliament. Any bill with the number 201 or greater is a private member's bill (4). This includes Bill-311, The Climate Change Accountability Act.
However the fate of Bill C311 is uncertain. Prime Minister Harper is about to appoint five new senators.
There is a glimmer of hope that Bill C311 will become law in Canada but our politicians need our help. Now that our politicians are not in parliament this a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to contact their Members of Parliament and voice your support for the passing of Bill C311. In Sudbury, Ontario we are handing out Valentines Cards and sending them to Parliament. We have included a poem on these Valentine's Cards:
Roses are red. Violets are Blue.
To Canadian Parliament, We are looking to you;
To protect workers rights, And every daughter and son.
And for the sake of the planet, Pass Bill C311.
References:
1) http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3662654&Language=e&Mode=1
2) http://www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/letters/80659172.html
3) http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/01/04/canada-prorogation-fallout.html
4) http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HouseBills/BillsPrivate.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2