N.W.T. MLAs are calling for an apology after a member called the territorial government’s greenhouse gas emissions policy a crime against humanity in the assembly this week.

Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley — known for his passion for the environment — said Wednesday in his member’s statement the government's lack of effort to reduce greenhouse gases will lead to deaths.

N.W.T. MLA Bob Bromley stands behind his comments that the territorial government's lack of effort to reduce greenhouse gases consitiutes a crime against humanity. (CBC)

“Canada understands and accepts that global emissions must be reduced from 1990 levels by at least 25 per cent by 2020 to avoid dangerous climate change with all that means in terms of loss of life, species and the ability of ecosystems to support us,” he said.

“According to our Greenhouse Gas Strategy, the GNWT is prepared to allow our emissions to surge by almost 100 per cent above 1990 levels by 2020. Given what we know, such policy followed through by any jurisdiction would constitute a crime against humanity. I, for one, and hopefully my colleagues, too, want no part in this.”

He repeated the phrase later when he asked Environment Minister Michael Miltenberger to explain the government’s greenhouse gas emission policies, and the minister took offence.

“I totally disagree and refute the member’s allegation that somehow this government, this assembly, is engaged in crimes against humanity,” Miltenberger replied.

“To put us in the same category as Gbagbo and some of these folks from Serbia and other folks that have been charged over the years, Nazis and stuff, with crimes against humanity is I think to me unacceptable and does nothing to help us carry on a respectful dialogue on the best way forward.”

Call for apology

The next day, Miltenberger began the sitting by raising a point of order, saying Bromley’s comments were offensive and disrespectful to the assembly because they evoke acts that include murder, torture and rape and that he should apologize.

“It casts egregious and invidious implications on this assembly, this cabinet, all of us members present and past who have agreed to and supported the work of this government,” Miltenberger said.

“It definitely calls into question and colours and brings disrespect to the members of the government, the thousands of good employees we have who work hard on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories.”

Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen agreed.

“Crimes against humanity, as they are understood by the average person without these extensive explanations, are things that we see that occur in countries where they have civil war and all kinds of very direct attacks on human people,” she said.

“Maybe this government and maybe the Canadian government has not done as much as they could, and been as proactive as they could, but to make the leap from not doing that to saying that this is crimes against humanity and targeting a specific government, vis-à-vis our government, I think is an exaggeration.”

Premier Bob McLeod also supported the point of order.

'I was offended, I guess, when Mr. Bromley lumped us all together as being somebody like Hitler or Pol Pot.'—N.W.T. Premier Bob McLeod

“I was offended, I guess, when Mr. Bromley lumped us all together as being somebody like Hitler or Pol Pot or Gen. Radek because he doesn’t like our Greenhouse Gas Policy.

“I think if he doesn’t like our policy, I’m sure he could have voiced his displeasure in other ways rather than likening us to some of these despots that have murdered millions of people.”

Bromley didn't back down. He pointed to the international criminal court's definition of crimes against humanity, claiming climate change is already killing hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

“We know exactly what’s needed to prevent climate change and yet our policy here is going in exactly the opposite direction,” he said.

“What I’m talking about is the deaths and suffering and the loss of our future for our people. If that is not a crime against humanity, I do not know what is.”

Speaker Jackie Jacobson said he'll think it over and come back with a decision as to whether Bromley needs to apologize and retract his comments.