I am fiercely against the…

I am fiercely against the Act to repeal the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act. Not only will this Act reduce my province and my fellow citizen's capacity to combat climate change, it makes us increasingly vulnerable in a changing world. I once viewed my province as a progressive leader in terms of environmental and social issues, but now I see us as going backwards, walking away from the reality of our carbon-obsessed world. With the release this week of the UN Climate Report, it is terrifyingly obvious that climate change mitigation, cap and trade and other carbon-reducing alternatives are required for implementation immediately. With this Act, we are losing Ontario's potential to be a leader for other provinces and nations to follow. Eventually the world will be going towards cap and trade and low-carbon economy strategies, and with the cancellation of this act, we are losing the ability to be looked at as a great example. Instead, we will be the opposite, a defiant province ignoring facts and extensively researched science.

Most importantly though, repealing the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act ignores my statutory right to be consulted on major changes to the laws and regulations that protect myself and my fellow citizens from climate change. I am deeply troubled by this undemocratic choice by government. I sincerely hope that my comments will be heard, and that further and more extensive consultation (with citizens and experts) will be prioritized prior to any major changes in legislation pertaining to climate change, low-carbon economic strategies, cap and trade, and generally, greenhouse gas emissions.