Ambrose adds a little Green to environmental roundtable

In an unusual move, the federal government has appointed the deputy leader of the Green party to an advisory body on the environment.

Environment Minister Rona Ambrose announced Friday that David Chernushenko will become a member of the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy. The independent body reports to Ambrose and focuses on integrating environmental sustainability and economic development.
“It’s a chance to have some influence in the environmental and economic direction of the country,” Chernushenko said in an interview.
Despite his status as the second highest ranking member of the Greens, which is trying to make strides towards electing its first MP, he said he’s being appointed as a private citizen.
“Although I’m known to be a member of the Green party, I won’t be sitting on the roundtable as an official representative of the Green party,” he said. “I’m going based on my credentials.”