WHAT are Canadians to make of the most environmentally un-ambitious throne speech in memory or the move to turn back the clock on addressing climate change?

At a time when Canada’s minister of environment takes over as president of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, this government offers conflicting comments on its commitment to the Kyoto accord and the prime minister muses about "starting from scratch." Accountability and transparency are to be the hallmark of this government, yet dozens of federally funded climate change programs are being secretly eliminated, though it’s still unclear exactly how many are being slashed.

Canadians are justifiably concerned by the recent statements and actions by the Conservative government on sustainable development, climate change and Kyoto. For example, the Harper government now says the Kyoto targets can’t be met, but you can’t reach them if you don’t try.

Canadians have consistently ranked the environment among their highest priorities – typically among their top three concerns. And the previous Liberal government reflected this priority by taking steps to ensure a sustainable future. Since 1999, the Liberal government had invested more than $10 billion on clean air, land and water; climate change, biodiversity, and species at risk. We also brought in "Project Green," a blueprint to move towards meeting our Kyoto commitments.

Now all this appears in jeopardy. One of the first actions of the Conservative government was to stop funding scores of climate change programs. Again, it’s still not known exactly how far it has gone, but environmental groups estimate a 40 per cent cut. This radical amputation means scores of environmental information offices across the country could be eliminated. On March 11, the new minister of the Environment, Rona Ambrose, had said the One Tonne Challenge was a good idea. But now this program, one that encouraged communities and individuals to address climate change, also finds itself on the chopping block.

Our government had taken strategic steps to ensure results for both the short and long term that balanced the need for protecting our environment with the need to strengthen our productivity and competitiveness.

For example, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has been helping build green infrastructure through the $675-million Green Municipal Fund created by our government in 2000. To date, more than 450 projects have been approved.

In power generation, our government proposed that five per cent of energy demand for federal buildings be supplied by renewable fuels, including wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal power. Budget 2005 had allocated $297 million for a renewable energy strategy.

Yet the Conservatives appear indifferent to supporting the renewable energy strategy. And we don’t know if the Conservatives will continue efforts to get the government’s own environmental house in order.

As the former minister of public works and government services, I can proudly report to Canadians that 40 per cent of federal vehicles now operate on alternative fuels, and a report on compliance with the Alternative Fuels Act in 2004-05 showed tailpipe emissions of the federal fleet down by 21 per cent. The department had also reduced greenhouse gas emissions from government office buildings by 24 per cent since 1990. A new office of Greening Government Operations was set up last year to view all government operations through a green lens. And a new green procurement policy was being implemented.

All of this shows leadership in trying to help create markets for cutting-edge environmental technologies and in building an innovative, world-class environmental industry here in Canada. Unfortunately, the Conservative government now appears ready to discard 10 years of progress. For example, funding for the Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaption Research Networks has not been renewed.

Caring for the environment is a sacred trust and environmental ills pose one of the most important challenges facing Canada, and the entire planet. Yet so far, the only firm environmental commitment made by the new Conservative government is to review the Environmental Protection Act. And that could be code for removing greenhouse gases from the act, which would be another giant step backward.

Canadians must insist that the minister state the priority she will attach to sustainable development and Project Green; that funding secretly cut in climate change programs be restored; that the government maintain and expand research and development of clean technologies, and that it guard our reputation for honouring international agreements.

Canadians aspire to live in a country where their values are reflected, and where the legacy they leave their children is a natural environment with a sustainable future.

Scott Brison is MP for Kings Hants and Liberal environment critic.