Ridiculous

New Environment Minister Rona Ambrose is set to succeed Stephane Dion at the UN as president of The Conference of Parties, which will oversee further implementation of Kyoto. How can Ambrose assume this important role, when she is on record criticizing the Accord she will oversee:

But despite the appointment, Ambrose did nothing to diminish the perception that the Conservatives aren't committed to the agreement.

"We are a signatory to 59 international agreements that I'm learning about all the time and a lot of them we're very active in," said Ambrose, an MP from Edmonton.

"On Kyoto, I will tell you that our government and our prime minister is very clear that there has to be a direct benefit to the Canadian environment and potentially to Canadian commercial investment in clean-air technology."

Ambrose said the government will pursue elements of the Kyoto protocol that fit within her mandate to focus on domestic air pollution.

The use of emissions credits under Kyoto to offset over-production of greenhouse gases is a problem for Ambrose.

"There will not be opportunities under this government, unlike the previous government, to purchase hot-air credits and allow Canadian companies to pollute on Canadian soil," she said.

Harper allowing Ambrose to replace Dion is akin to the American administration appointing John Bolton as U.N ambassador, despite his clear contempt for the organization. What will other nations think of a key player who isn't committed to the process? Mixed messages anyone? How will someone who is clearly in bed with Alberta oil and gas approach these issues in good faith?

Despite all the hot air about "domestic solutions", Ambrose's agenda is clear- don't allow any treaty that threatens Alberta's energy sector. Under the guise of a flawed emissions credit program, Ambrose will pull us out of the Kyoto Accord, which is why putting her in this important role is such a cynical move.