NDP seeks emergency Commons debate on Arctic sea ice decline

The NDP’s environment critic wants an emergency debate in the House of Commons on the impact of Arctic sea ice decline. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)

The New Democratic Party’s environment critic plans to request an emergency debate in the House of Commons on climate change.

Responding to the news that this year’s Arctic winter sea ice had dipped to a record low, Megan Leslie, MP for Halifax, stood up March 20 in the House of Commons to say she wants to see an emergency debate on March 23 to discuss Arctic sea ice decline.

“This emergency debate is required in order to allow parliamentarians to address the substantial domestic and international consequences of the decreased Arctic sea ice extent and Arctic warming atmosphere,” she said in a March 20 letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Commons, which asked for the debate on “the distressing decline of Arctic sea ice extent observed this winter.”

Leslie said the emergency debate should include, “but is not limited to,” Arctic sovereignty, national security, Arctic fisheries and ecosystem, resources development and the rights of indigenous peoples.

“The government has stated the North is a priority; the safety and security of its people must be considered by parliamentarians,” she said.

“It is our responsibility as parliamentarians to have an immediate and in-depth discussion about prevention, mitigation and adaptation.”

In her letter, Leslie also noted that sea ice is critical to the Arctic’s ecology and economy.

“The warming trend in the Arctic is wreaking havoc on the ecosystems. Arctic ice is vitally important to fish, mammals and birds providing habitat, hunting grounds as well as space to breed. As the Arctic warms and ice extent disappears, mammals have been forced to change their feeding and migration patterns, having a profound impact on northern communities who rely on hunting for survival.

“Furthermore, local communities depend on frozen ground for land transport of food and the necessities of life for much of the year. If the warming trend continues, an emergency plan will be required,” she said.

In a March 23 statement Greenpeace said it welcomed the call for the emergency debate: “We’re pleased the Official Opposition recognizes the dire need for our government to take action to combat climate change and protect the Arctic environment. Harper’s Arctic strategy puts the exploitation of oil and gas resources front and centre, which contributes to an already warming climate and is attached to a volatile market. In order to bring sustainable and reliable prosperity to the North, Arctic development should include a diverse portfolio that is independent of a high price-per-barrel.”