(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he intends to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement:
"Today's announcement by President Trump was made to pacify his base. It does not change the Paris Agreement. It only confirms what we already knew – that as long as Trump is President, the executive powers of President will work against climate action. Encouragingly, U.S. state and municipal leaders, progressive business leaders and smart investors will keep moving forward on climate action. This issue is bigger than Donald Trump.
"Neither the United States nor any signing nation can unilaterally re-draft the Paris Agreement. The U.S. must wait three years from entry into force (EIF) and then give one year's written notice to withdraw. As the EIF was Nov 4, 2016, Trump cannot initiate a Paris exit that has effect before Nov. 4, 2020.
"Trump is this era's King Canute – decreeing that tides must retreat before his almighty powers. The Paris Treaty will move forward. His actions will hurt our efforts, but he cannot stop the tides of change," Ms. May concluded.
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