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Kent said this cannot happen, particularly since other major nations such as the U.S. aren’t covered by Kyoto.

“Domestically, we will do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Kent.

“Canada, though, cannot do it alone,” he said, noting that this country produces just two per cent of global emissions.

But the minister was immediately blasted by opposition critics for abandoning attempts to find a solution to global warming, and for using scare tactics to explain his rationale.

NDP environment critic Megan Leslie accused Kent of “fearmongering” and of spreading misinformation.

“It was unbelievable and reprehensible, what he was doing,”she said.

“It’s not enough to be afraid of the criminals in our streets. We now have to be afraid of driving cars and afraid of the international community taking all of our money away.”

Leslie said Kent was not telling the truth when he warned of billions of dollars in international penalties.

“They are just trying to hide their failures here by constructing this scary story and then saying hey it wasn’t us, it was the Liberals.”

Leslie said the decision to abandon Kyoto will have “long-term implications” on Canada’s international reputation.

“I wonder what international treaty we’re going to back out of next. I can’t imagine anyone will want to come to the table to negotiate with Canada in good faith.”

Greenpeace Canada spokesman Mike Hudema said in a written statement that the Harper government “has imposed a death sentence on many of the world’s most vulnerable populations by pulling out of Kyoto.”