Canada awarded dubious distinction at Rio talks for sustainable development

OTTAWA – A fresh round of global environment talks has just begun, and Canada has the dubious distinction of being the second country to receive a “Fossil of the Day” award.

Tens of thousands of government delegates and organizations from around the world are gathering this week and next in Brazil for the Rio+20 talks on sustainable development.

As at other summits in the past, some of the non-governmental organizations in Rio are singling out countries for what the groups say is an obstructionist role in negotiations.

Today, activists say Canada will be handed the award for deleting wording for funding for developing countries, weakening language on fossil-fuel subsidies, and causing confusion on policies related to oceans and fisheries.

But Environment Minister Peter Kent says the awards are politically motivated, and don’t reflect Canada’s commitment to promoting sustainable development at a global level.

On Thursday, the United States was granted the first fossil award at Rio+20.