Canada ‘more frank’ about climate change, Harper says

Stephen Harper insists he won’t be pressured to alter his business-friendly climate-change policies, saying the Conservative government is simply more upfront than leadership in some other countries about its intention to avoid abatement measures that hurt jobs and economic growth. “No matter what they say, no country is going to take actions that are going to deliberately destroy jobs and growth in their country. We are just a little more frank about that,” the Prime Minister said. This unapologetic tone comes as one of Mr. Harper’s senior-most cabinet members left little doubt Monday about where the Conservatives are leaning when it comes to approving the Northern Gateway oil sands pipeline, with Finance Minister Joe Oliver warning that Canada will be condemned to a future of debt and economic decline if the country can’t get its landlocked oil to world markets.