BRUSSELS - The federal government should consult with the provinces before it makes any presentations at the next United Nations conference on climate change, Quebec Premier Jean Charest said Friday.
The Dec. 7-18 conference in Copenhagen is aimed at geting a new international deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
Charest said in Brussels, where he gave a speech on climate change with Manitoba Premier Gary Doer, that provinces won't agree to being left on the sidelines as Ottawa prepares for the meeting in Denmark.
"Regardless of the agreement in Copenhagen, its implementation depends on our participation and our agreement," Charest told reporters. "If the provincial governments in Canada don't sign on, it will be very difficult to implement policies to reduce greenhouse gases."
Charest is not claiming a spot on the stage beside the federal government in Copenhagen but said he believes Ottawa has a duty to present a policy that reflects the position of the provinces.
"We (the provinces) are the ones who manage the forests, the land, natural resources and energy policies," he said.
If he does get a foot in the door at the talks, Charest will have to persuade Ottawa to speed up its fight against climate change.
Charest is relying on the "Obama effect," hoping the more aggressive stance of the Democratic administration in the United States on environmental issues will force the federal government to act.
"With the election of (U.S. President Barack) Obama, the situation changed radically," he said, adding he is confident there will be a cap-and-trade system to deal with greenhouse gases everywhere.
But Charest has no illusions about the feelings of oil-rich provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, which are resisting efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
Charest said the federal government must decide in the favour of the majority of the population when it comes to any trade-offs.
"In Western Canada, there are different positions and the federal government must take this into account," Charest said. "But it must also take into account the voices of the majority who spoke in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
"On the Quebec side, our perspective will not change. Our voice must be heard."
Quebec and Manitoba are able to preach the virtues of so-called "clean" energy and encourage the adoption of tough measures to reduce greenhouse gases because they produce hydroelectricity.
Eager to stress their commitment to the fight against climate change, Charest and Doer signed a letter of intent in the Belgian capital to join a United Nations development program.
Quebec will pay $1 million over three years to help poor countries develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gases.
