One Earth

One Earth Initiative submitted a petition to the Government of Canada in December 2011, which can be viewed on the Auditor General’s website. The responses have started coming back from the Government, with the first reply from Foreign Affairs and International Trade. One Earth asks about the Government of Canada’s consultation with the public and provinces in preparing its position prior to the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). One Earth also seeks clarification about Canada’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol, about its future plans and regulations to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and about its reporting on reductions. One Earth asks the government about its carbon pricing plans and how it measures financial assistance to the oil and gas sector. In addition, One Earth asks whether the government intends to develop and use alternative measures, such as well-being indicators, in addition to traditional measures of economic activity, such as gross domestic product, and if it plans to integrate fair trade concerns into public procurement. The first reply is from Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Environment Canada, Finance Canada, Industry Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Treasury Board are expected to reply in the coming month.