by Terry Wilson
Canadian Awareness Network
December 30, 2012

Since Stephen Harper and the Conservatives gained their majority government in the last election. It has seemed as if they have been so focused on the economy that the environment has taken a back seat to it. Leaving the Kyoto protocol, oil pipelines, Chinese investments into the oil sands in Alberta, labeling environmental groups as potential terrorist threats, and most recently the removal of protection on thousands of lakes and rivers across the nation, in Bill C-45.

In response to all of these actions many groups and activists have become more active. But more importantly have begun to learn how to network with each other and work together. Which in an ideal situation would be great. But sadly we do not find ourselves in an ideal situation at this point of time.

Environmental groups (including the most radical factions), socialists, communists, anarchists, Occupy groups, and most recently indigenous people’s are all beginning to band together to protect mother Earth and the environment. Creating a collective network (mind you in is in it’s early stages). A collective network to fight back at the loosening of regulations and the corporate greed that has driven those changes.

But how loose has our government gotten when it comes to the environment?

Yes, as stated above our government has begun to develop the tar sands, it has left the Kyoto protocol, etc. But when it comes to sustainable development we rank near the highest in the world.

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy progress report section 2.4 openly states that the federal government is “Implementing a New Approach”.

The new approach calls for government to take the first steps in curbing our “carbon footprint”. By shrinking government. Which would mean consolidating services and shrinking the payroll (hence less federal protections). The governments approach also calls for establishing a sustainable development office. Which would over see a large portion of environmental issues.

If you check the chart below, you can deduce that we are in the early stages of the “do – implementing approach” time right now.

Read the full Federal Sustainable Development Strategy progress report Here

This shift in policy has also been enacted at the provincial and municipal levels. All provinces and cities/towns have sustainable action plans that stem from the Federal plan.

British Columbia was the first province or state in North America to implement a carbon tax, while both Ontario and Quebec have passed legislation for cap and trade schemes. Quebec has announced their cap and trade plan already but Ontario has not unveiled theirs yet.

Quebec also announced their new historic conservation plan this year. Plan Nord, a sustainable development initiative for the 425,000-square-mile northern boreal region. This undertaking includes a commitment to put half of the area off limits to industrial activity.

Nearly all cities/towns also have their sustainable plans well established. All one has to do is go to their city website and search sustainable development. Here in Hamilton the plan is called “vision 20/20″.

To put it simply our government is undergoing a massive environmental shift. A shift that will allow corporations to develop heavily polluting industries, in certain area’s. While passing the bulk of responsibility of environmental protection on to the average person through sustainable development and taxation.

Maybe that is why the government (at any level) has not been quick to dispel the claims of a “lack of environmental responsibility”. Or maybe they see this as an opportunity?

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged defines social engineering as “the manipulation of the social position and function of individuals in order to manage change in a society”

By playing the pawn Stephen Harper off as the “bad guy” (don’t get me wrong I cannot stand the guy personally) we will see a continuation of collectivist groups merging and becoming stronger. With the help of main stream media, government, NGO’s, and average people who have been duped. This collective is going to grow very quickly. Highlighting every environmental misdeed the government makes, and blaming climate change on nearly everything. While ignoring the shift to a “new plan”. Until the next election.

We are going to see the Liberals, NDP, and Greens all play on this very hard. Who doesn’t want clean air, water, and land? Who doesn’t want a better future for our following generations? After Stephen Harper’s destruction we cannot hesitate any longer! I can envision the speeches already. Gaining more support for the next Prime Minster (my bet is on Justin Trudeau) who, after being elected. Will promote the “new plan/shift” as theirs, (regardless of how old the plan is) and the majority of the populace while jump on board no questions asked! Who cares where the plan came from, or who developed it! We must act now!

We must all ask ourselves. Does this current government just lack environmental compassion and thought? Or is our perception merely being managed through a social engineering program to accept a “new” direction? A “new” plan?