On track records

Bill Tieleman points out that Stephane Dion's regressive track record isn't limited to economic issues, as even his history of actions and words on the environment includes some serious warning signs:

While Dion scored an upset win in the December 2006 federal Liberal leadership contest by highlighting his green platform, the longtime Member of Parliament is an environmental dud.

In fact, Dion mentioned the words "environment" and "environmental" in the House of Commons just four times between first joining the Liberal government in January 1996 and becoming environment minister in July 2004 - once every 237 days.

But actions always speak louder - and again Dion has a clear record.

Dion voted with the Conservatives against mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods on Oct. 18, 2001. He joined the Conservatives again in voting against mandatory fuel efficiency for all cars on Feb. 22, 2005.

And as federal environment minister in July 2005, Dion set up a "Chemicals Sector Sustainability Table" to consult on pollution issues - with one of the co-chairs being the vice-president of Imperial Oil's Chemicals Division!...

The (Liberal) party's own 2006 Renewal Commission report confesses that the Liberal government failed to "translate our good environmental intentions into concrete action."

Like when Dion himself reduced offshore oil and gas drilling environmental assessment regulations.

"The science indicates that the environmental effects of offshore oil and gas exploratory drilling are, in general, minor, localized, short in duration and reversible. Under the legislated criteria, a screening type assessment would provide an appropriate level of assessment for such projects," Dion said on Nov. 17, 2005.

While Dion's environmental track record isn't entirely on the negative side of the ledger, it's looking more and more like Dion's talk about the environment is little more than a repetition of Paul Martin's search for "values of convenience" - complete with a heavy dose of dithering. And with such serious weaknesses in his past on his signature issue combined with Dion's utterly uninspiring performance as a leader in the present, progressive voters look to have ever less reason to put their support behind Dion and his party in the future.

(h/t to Oppo-Guy.)