I am vehemently opposed to…

I am vehemently opposed to the cancelling of Ontario's cap-and-trade program. There are numerous reasons why I believe that this would be a tragic mistake, both economic and environmental.

The cap-and-trade program funded many other programs that were a boost to Ontario's economy. After the provincial government announced that the grants for retrofitting homes were being cancelled, I read many articles and social media posts written by people who were disappointed and personally affected by this decision. Ironically, many of them had voted for Conservative candidates but didn't realize that the cap-and-trade program was funding these programs and that by cancelling cap-and-trade there would be no funding source for these programs to continue.

As a home owner myself, I had already had a quote done by a local window installation company, but had not yet signed a contract, so did not qualify for the rebate after the cancellation of the program. I decided not to go ahead with the upgrades. Many friends and family members have discussed with me their disappointment about the loss of this program and frustration with the lack of transparency about this issue during the campaign.

Furthermore, there are huge economic benefits with these programs - encouraging investment through the hiring of contractors and the creation of jobs which leads to further investment. In terms of value, these investments have far greater returns for the local economy than tax cuts. Even Stephen Harper - when faced with a looming economic crisis in 2008 - recognized the role of such investments in spurring on the economy and created the "Home Renovation Tax Credit". This program is credited with helping Canada weather the financial crisis better than any other developed nation.

Fortunately, I predicted that there was a possibility that the Green Vehicle rebate could be cancelled after the provincial election, so decided to get an eligible vehicle beforehand. That purchase resulted in a $54,000 investment into the economy - an investment which would not have been possible without the incentive. That purchase would have supported jobs in vehicle assembly plants, a car dealership, EV charging companies, research and development... the list goes on.

After I purchased my vehicle, I had several friends and family members who said they were planning to do the same, but changed their minds after the incentive was cancelled.

Just as important as the boosts that the funds from the cap-and-trade system provide for the economy are the costs that would be associated with cancelling it. By cancelling it, Ontario taxpayers will be on the hook for potentially millions (or billions?) of dollars in compensation to the industries that have already bought into the system. I believe it would be fiscally irresponsible for the government to cancel a program that is generating revenue and funding programs which spur investments only to pay for essentially nothing. I can't imagine a decision that would be more antithetical to the values of a supposedly Conservative government.

I feel as though the environmental benefits of cap-and-trade are so obvious that it is almost absurd to spend time talking about it. I am a parent of two young children. Given the contents of the most recent report from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, I am terrified for my children's future. I don't know how any parent or grandparent could - in good conscience - not support programs that are designed to reduce our carbon footprint. The consequences of ignoring the problem will be catastrophic and, indeed, deadly. After reading a synopsis of the report, I felt guilty for bringing my children into this world. This is a world where we have the ability and knowledge to be able to recognize the folly of what we are doing, but lack the will and the courage to deal with it.

I know that cap-and-trade alone won't solve the world's climate crisis, but everyone must do something. We have a program in place. It is set up. It is working. It would be both foolish and irresponsible to cancel it now.