"Canada is formally withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, abandoning the world's only legally binding plan to tackle global warming."

"Environment Minister Peter Kent confirmed the decision on Parliament Hill just hours after returning from a United Nations climate conference in Durban at which he repeatedly avoided questions about Canada's commitment to the protocol.

Mr. Kent said staying in Kyoto would force Canada to spend about $14-billion buying carbon credits abroad because the country is so far behind in meeting its targets. He blamed the previous Liberal government, saying it agreed to targets without a plan to achieve them."

Bill Curry and Shawn Mccarthy report for the Toronto Globe and Mail December 12, 2011. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Canada To Withdraw From Kyoto Protocol" (BBC) [3]

"Canada's Kyoto Withdrawal 'Regrettable,' Says China" (Toronto Star) [4]

"Canada's Kyoto Withdrawal Under Fire From China" (AFP) [5]