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3 · Wednesday, December 2, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Young Liberals heading to U.N. conference By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF They don't believe their government is up to the job so they're bound for Copenhagen to show the world Canada still cares about climate change. Matt Juniper, 23, of Campbellville, and Ashley Bigda, 22, of Oakville are among 26 Canadians who have been selected by the Young Liberals of Canada and the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) to travel to this year's United Nations (U.N.) Climate Change Conference. During the conference, which begins Dec. 7, the pair will function as youth representatives and will be engaged in rallies and presentations all geared towards getting the international community to sign some kind of successor agreement to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. "We would like to see all major players, including developing countries, ones that at this stage are not major carbon emitters, we want them included in this agreement," said Juniper, who studied communications and psychology at Ryerson University and has a long standing interest in politics and the environment. "We would love to see these countries develop, but part of development is industrialization and that comes with increased emissions, so we want to see a truly global agreement reached." Juniper noted a big problem with the Kyoto Protocol was that while countries like Denmark and Germany agreed to adopt the protocol's emissions-reduction targets ,the world's largest developing nations of India and China, which pollute considerable more, were left out. Bigda, who graduated from the University of Toronto in political science and environmental policy and practice, noted that solidifying emissions targets for the whole world through a new agreement only makes sense. "We want to see responsibility duly taken by the biggest emitters for what they have emitted," she said. "All countries need to take responsibility for their contribution to this crisis." Bigda said she wants to see her own country take responsibility NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER CHANGE OF PACE: Matt Juniper and Ashley Bigda are travelling to Copenhagen for the UN conference on climate change. and take action on the issue of climate change. "We want Canada to be unified, we want all the provinces to have the same sort of goal in mind, we want Canada to go into Copenhagen as a leader and not a follower of policies that are being made right now," said Bigda. "We want to be recognized and we want to keep the status of being a fantastic country," she said, noting it is important that Canada's policies benefit people, good health and the environment. Both Bigda and Juniper have doubts that Canada's current government is up to the job. Canada pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol after the Conservative government came to power in 2006. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was also criticized in September for welcoming the Tim Hortons' corporation back to Canada at a ceremony in Oakville instead of attending a United Nations General Assembly on climate change, which was being held in New York. Harper is scheduled to attend the Copenhagen conference, however, given his past actions on cli See We page 14 HEARING AID SPECIAL (Clients portion) *Some Conditions Apply * $ From 295 Let our designers and product selection take you to another place. Get Your Home Ready For The Holidays We can transform any space! A WORLD OF INSPIRATION Elegance, Stylish, Sophisticated, or Sleek We specialize in importing and distributing unique Ceramics, Porcelain, Travertine, Marble, Glass, Custom Medallions and mosiacs from Around the World. Up to 3 Year Service Warranty Ask about our Custom Glass Shower Doors & Floor Heating 60 DAY GUARANTEE: If after 60 days we have not provided you with the best hearing possible, we will give you your money back... We are an authorized clinic for DVA, WSIB, and Green Shield clients Call 905-827-7333 For a FREE Hearing Test. Age 18+ Tile selection made enjoyable! Factory Tile Depot Hopedale Hearing Clinic In Hopedale Mall, next to the CIBC 1515 Rebecca Street, Unit 38, Oakville · 905-827-7333 www.factorytiledepot.ca