To the Ministry of…

To the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks,

First of all, thank you for your time and attention on this item, and the ability to comment publicly on the proposed legislation.

My purpose for writing is to express my deep and genuine concern regarding the proposed Cap and Trade Cancellation Act. In today's world and in the face of a deepening threat of irreversible and dangerous climate change, we as Ontarians, Canadians and world citizens must do more to limit our impact, and current data shows that carbon pricing is a strong tool in the arsenal against this developing crisis.

The proposed legislation represents a major step backwards for the Ontario government on environmental stewardship. At this time, no proposed replacement has been outlined by the government, and so the only supporting evidence which can be provided is that in favour of carbon pricing. Existing knowledge indicates this tool as a positive force for environmental stewardship, and several real-life examples have been studied with numerous well-known publications available to their support. Consider the attached link as one such example, detailing the resulting effects of corporate supply line adjustment and strong change as a result of the imposed carbon pricing. Evidence from BC's carbon pricing initiative is also positive so far. While in the future, better options may become available, carbon pricing has shown so far to be effective, and we live in a time where drastic action is required to avert major disaster.

I personally find it unacceptable that our government proposes to repeal carbon pricing initiatives under the guise of saving citizens money, while earmarking hundreds of millions of dollars to litigate against the federal government and having no replacement legislation proposed or consulted on publicly. As such I would implore the Ontario government to reconsider its position on this proposed legislation.

Best regards