UN calls Canada’s pullout from drought fighting convention ‘regrettable’

The United Nations said it is “regrettable” that Canada will withdraw from a UN convention that fights the spread of droughts.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said Canada was withdrawing from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification because the program has proven too bureaucratic, and not worth the $350,000 contributed each year. The decision would make Canada the only country in the world not part of the convention.

………….. Mr. Harper told the House of Commons this week that less than one-fifth of the $350,000 Canada contributes to the convention goes to programming, while Mr. Baird called the entire process a “talkfest” that does a disservice to Canadian taxpayers.

The above is only an excerpt from an article at The Globe And Mail by Mike Blanchfield OTTAWA — The Canadian Press Published Friday, Mar. 29 2013, 11:38 AM EDT Last updated Friday, Mar. 29 2013, 11:47 PM EDT.

To read the full article go to

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/un-calls-canadas-pullout-from-drought-fighting-convention-regrettable/article10551791/