Legault slammed for skipping UN eco-summit

QUEBEC Premier François Legault will not be attending the United Nations annual summit on the environment in Poland.

Officials confirmed Monday that Legault, sworn into office two weeks ago after winning the Oct. 1 election, instead will send Environment Minister Marie Chantal Chassé to the Dec. 3-14 gathering.

Officials said the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP24, will essentially be technical and does not justify the presence of Legault.

The decision comes despite growing pressure on the premier to follow the path of his predecessors, Philippe Couillard and Jean Charest, both of whom attended.

The timing of the meeting is particularly inconvenient for Legault.

The house is being recalled for two weeks starting Nov. 27 for an inaugural address from the new Coalition Avenir Québec government and the tabling of a few key pieces of legislation.

At the swearing-in of his new government Oct. 18, Legault promised to do more to fight climate change. Interim Liberal leader Pierre Arcand said Legault is not living up to his promises.

“He had a chance to prove (his commitment) by participating in COP24,” Arcand tweeted. “His refusal to participate is concrete proof of his disinterest in the battle against climate change.”

There was a similar reaction from Québec solidaire environment critic Ruba Ghazal.

“Urgent action (on climate change) is needed and we are anxious to see the government assume responsibility for this issue,” Ghasal said in a statement.