17 prominent Canadians to advise Environment Minister during Copenhagen Junket - and not a climate scientist among them. And all on the TAXPAYER's dime. Typical. Sorry, I just have to say, what the f**k does the owner of Superstore, Gaylen Weston, know about the SCIENCE of climate change? Here are the rest of the 'consultants':
- Gary Doer, Canada's 23rd ambassador to the United States
- Mike Holmes, Host and creator of the popular television show Holmes on Homes
- Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
- Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national Inuit organization
- David Emerson, former federal liberal cabinet minister, business man, politician
- Nancy Southern, president and CEO of utility giant Atco Ltd., Spruce Meadows
- Galen Weston, the executive chairman of Loblaw Companies Ltd (incl. Superstore)
- Jacques Lamarre, former SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., executive, engineering and construction
- William Lahey, Director of the Dalhousie Health Law Institute (lawyer)
- Elyse Allen, President and CEO of GE Canada
- Charlie Fischer, Former president and CEO of Nexen Inc.
- Daniel Gagnier, Chairman of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, former chair of Alcan, and Chief of Staff to Quebec Premier Jean Charest in 2007
- Linda Hasenfratz (Newton), CEO of Linamar Corp
- Robert Prichard, President and CEO of Metrolinx
At least there are a few researchers & post-secondary leaders on the junket as well:
- Dr. Steve MacLean, President of the Canadian Space Agency, and laser physicist
- Dr. Heather Munroe-Blum, President, vice-chancellor and senior officer of McGill University (professor in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health)
- Dr. Indira Samarasekera, President of the University of Alberta (metallurgical engineering)
The Honorable Jim Prentice, environment minister, is missing direct input from Canadian CLIMATE SCIENTISTS. At least in the US, they pretend to consult the scientists, says Barbara Oakley, in "Take this paradigm and shove it". There is a saying about patronage politics in Alberta: "Hogs at the trough" (look in comments).
In spite of the few researchers invited along, the optics on this 17 person, tax dollar funded junket of "top drawer" Canadians to Denmark stink. While I enjoy watching Mike on "Holmes on Homes", and the horse jumping at Marg Southern's Spruce Meadows (Nancy's mom), many of these highly paid, CEO consultants should just back away from the climategate buffet.
Let the scientists, the kind Rex Murphy talks about in ClimateGate, who are the "humble servants of the facts of the case", inform the climate science debate.
Take the Macleans.ca "Is Canada Shirking is Responsibilities" poll - You will be surprised by the result. It is likely the only input that TAXPAYERS will have, other than footing the bill for patronage junkets like this one, on issues of climate change.
3 comments:
Mike Holmes. You have got to be kidding. I'd love to know the decision making process that this junket went though.
"Let's see... the summit is about environmental impacts of global warming, and what we as world leaders need to do about it. Who do I need with me to keep me on top of things? Scientists studying the problems? Nah. Too hard. Scientists use big words. They'll make me look stupid. How about that Homes TV guy - he talks about insulation and stuff. That's environmental, right? OK. He's in. Oh! And we need people from the petroleum industry, because they know something about global warming, too, and may have some feedback on the best ways we can reduce emissions or whatever. RIght! And a lawyer, because some of the OTHER countries may bring along those egghead scientists, and I'll need someone who can pretend to understand long words.
And that Presidents Choice guy. Tell him to bring some of those appetizers he's going on about on the commercials. And a cheesecake. Obama will totally love that I'm bringing the Presidents Choice. Awesome.
What? We really should bring a researcher? Dangit. OK. Fine. But not an ACTUAL researcher. How about a university president or something? Because people will be all "ooooh! a university president!" and they'll forget that the president doesn't actually do research. Do they? Whew. OK. There's the plan. Make it happen, people!
I have several "top drawers" in my house (you know, in the kitchen, front foyer, my desk,...) - they all tend to collect junk. Apparently, our government does that too.
I had a great laugh trying to figure out which appetizers would be Prez Obama's Choice... Cheese Puffs, of course, Pork Barrel bites...
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