Suzuki sounds off on Wall, climate change and the Husky oil spill in Saskatoon

Canada’s best-known environmental activist visited Saskatoon on Sunday.

David Suzuki was the headline author at the sixth annual Word on the Street book and magazine festival.

“I wanted to talk to the people of Saskatchewan who elected Premier Brad Wall,” he said.

“I hope they have something to say to him after my talk sinks in.”

He called Wall a climate change denier.

“I’m shocked Saskatchewan voters elected him to the office,” Suzuki said.

“Any politician not concerned about climate change shouldn’t be elected.”

 Wall, who is on a trade mission in Asia said in an email Suzuki’s comment misrepresents his views on the environment.

“I believe in climate change.  But I guess I am a denier.  I’m a climate tax denier,” Wall said in a statement.

“I deny the fallacy that a new tax on Canadians whose CO2 emissions are 1.6 per cent of global emissions is the best way for Canada to help fight climate change,” he said.

Back at the festival, Suzuki also talked about the recent Husky oil spill.

“There’s too much emphasis on keeping pipeline costs down,” he said.

“You can’t have a spill like that and pronounce in days that everything is OK.”

Suzuki said the problem is big business dictates government policy in Saskatchewan.

“Whether it’s Potash Corp, or uranium–fossil fuels are a big part of this province,” he said.

“The problem is the way we govern ourselves is all about keeping the economy going and nobody is concerned about the air or the water.”

Suzuki also praised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his efforts over predecessor Stephen Harper. 

“Anybody is better than Harper,” he said.

“I’ve told Trudeau if he’s serious about his Paris commitments, we can’t have any discussion about pipelines, any discussion about expanding the tar sands in Alberta, or any discussion about expanding rail. If we’re taking the number seriously then oil should be left inside the ground.”

It’s actually funny to see @DavidSuzuki sit behind a @PotashCorp back drop @JohnGormleyShow #yxe pic.twitter.com/kXbJeeHmAZ

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) September 18, 2016

“I hadn’t noticed until the end,” chuckled Suzuki, about the PotashCorp backdrop behind him.

During his talk, eight kids asked environmental questions during the Q & A session.

“Young people are aware because the planet is in deep trouble,” Suzuki said.

“Why the hell aren’t the elected officials, who are supposed to be looking out for their future, paying attention to what the kids are saying?”

Nine year old child worried about #environment @WOTS_Saskatoon @DavidSuzuki super proud #yxe @EnvAgency pic.twitter.com/jSw4H8KNGM

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) September 18, 2016

Hear the full interview with David Suzuki here: