Cabinet quietly petitioned the United Nations to water down a pledge for climate change aid to poor countries, according to documents obtained by Blacklock’sReporter..“Must assist” was changed to “should assist” only weeks after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly promised billions in funding at a G7 summit..“The specific comments are not exhaustive but rather highlight areas of concern,” the Department of Foreign Affairs wrote a UN committee..Canada’s submission was dated August 14, nine weeks after the prime minister pledged $5.3 billion in five-year aid..“Urgent action is needed to address the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement at the time. Changes “disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable,” it added..A draft UN petition on Land And Economic, Social And Cultural Rights stated: “Since climate change impacts all countries, including those that may have contributed to it the least, those countries that have historically contributed most to climate change and those that are currently the main contributors to it must assist those that are most affected.”.Canada recommended the wording change to “should assist those that are most affected.” No explanation was given..The draft petition also stated wealthy countries should be “supporting and financing land-related adaptation measures” in the Third World. Canada suggested the phrase be reworded to read: “…which may include supporting and financing land-related adaptation measures.”.The foreign affairs department did not elaborate. Cabinet members repeatedly said federal climate change programs must include Third World aid..“Climate change is a global problem that affects every country and we must participate in fighting it,” Foreign Minister Marc Garneau told the Commons in 2019. “Developing countries have fewer resources to combat climate change.”.Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson last February 25 called climate change “the existential threat” of the era. “It calls for effective, lasting action,” he said..“All would need to do more and increase ambition over time,” Wilkinson told the Commons April 15. “Countries around the world are doing that and Canada will be playing its part in the international community.”.Diplomats in their submission to the UN Economic and Social Council said they considered general comments on climate change aid “are capable only of providing guidance” and “do not create binding legal obligations in and of themselves.”
