City Councillor Inconvenienced by the Truth baffling objections raised to showing of climate change documentary at City Hall
For immediate release:
January 29, 2007 (Ottawa) - A lunchtime showing at Ottawa's City Hall of Al Gore's climate change documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth”, is under attack today because of the actions of one misguided City Councillor. Rather than welcome City Staff's efforts to educate themselves about the urgent problem of climate change, Councillor Jan Harder is raising questions about whether City Hall will have to pay Al Gore royalties.
“Its dismaying that a City Councillor would object to City Staff educating themselves about the number one issue facing us today,” said Liz Bernstein, volunteer with Ecology Ottawa. “We need more work, not less, to strengthen City Staff's ability to tackle environmental problems so we can make Ottawa the green capital of Canada,” Bernstein continued.
Last week the City of Ottawa's deputy manager for planning, transit and environment sent out an email inviting staff to watch the climate change documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore at noon today.
In response, Jan Harder went on local radio and issued a statement on her website. Harder asks: “How much is it costing us? Do we have to pay? Do we have to rent this? Do we have to pay royalties to Al Gore?”
“We need leadership from City Council on air pollution, energy efficiency and efforts to promote a healthy Ottawa,” said Graham Saul, a volunteer with Ecology Ottawa. “Its baffling that Harder is trying to make an issue out of this,” Saul continued.
More than 400 Ottawans have already signed Ecology Ottawa's on-line Green Budget Petition encouraging Councillors to make the environment a priority during the upcoming budget debate. See www.ecologyottawa.ca
