Harper Stands up EU Summit to Avoid Critcism Over Lack of Environmental Policy

Harper was supposed to take part in a Canada-EU summit in Finland at the end of November, but cancelled out, citing the need to stay close to home because of his government's fragile minority status.

EU officials are upset that Harper won't attend the summit even though he'll already be in the region, The Globe and Mail reports.

Critics suggest Harper backed out in order to avoid tough criticism he would have faced at the summit.

European leaders are upset with the Harper government for abandoning goals set under the Kyoto Protocol in favour of their controversial new Clean Air Act.

The Conservative legislation sets no short term targets for reducing emissions.

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