Out in force

Of course, while some in the media kvetch about the federal NDP's supposed absence from the public eye, the party itself has been in the midst of two major task forces dealing with the economic issues now facing Canadians. So let's note the Star Phoenix' report on Nathan Cullen's stop in Saskatoon:

From rebuilding railways to increased research funding, a handful of federal NDP party members were in Saskatoon during the weekend to envision green solutions to the economic crunch.

"The concern I have is that folks will simply say this is beyond us, that this is greater than us," Nathan Cullen, a British Columbia NDP MP, said in a speech to Saskatoon-Humboldt NDP members.

The federal NDP is in the middle of a cross-Canada trek aimed at polling the grassroots for ideas on how to create environmental initiatives to lessen the impact of a faltering economy. The project is dubbed the New Democrat Taskforce on Economic Recovery.

In Saskatoon, discussion focused on restoring the rail system, research and public transit.
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Across the country, dialogue has centred around building codes, energy sources and transit in the cities, said Cullen.

The MP's Saskatoon stop included trips to a wind farm and to the Confederation Inn in Saskatoon, a business that is using solar energy to heat water at the hotel.
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Cullen says Saskatchewan's Conservative MPs need to support green initiatives both in the province and in Ottawa.

He points to one consultant he met who is based in Saskatoon, but does most of his business in Manitoba because the province has more support for environmental initiatives.

Other Canadian companies have left for "greener" pastures in Europe.

"I know, federally, we had an alternative energy program killed. People are confused," Cullen said.

Of course, the likelihood of Con MPs actually taking any stand for the environment looks to be remote at best. But the more the NDP is able to highlight the need to tie economic recovery to sustainable industries, the the better the chances that the Cons can either be pushed to do more than they would on their own, or be removed from any position to keep damaging the prospects of a green economy.