Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this vital matter. I have spend much of the past fifteen years working on issues relating to climate change and sustainability. As I see it, whatever we all do must be good for the environment, society and the economy. With green energy as an example, it has become abundantly clear that we can have a triple bottom line and we must have this if our human race is to survive the coming climate chaos.

Much of my work has been focused on transitions in local food systems. As a Co-Chair of Sustain Ontario, I was proud to be part of the group working with the Ontario Government to bring the Local Food Act to Ontario. I see so much opportunity in the local food system to have a food system that is environmentally responsible, socially leaves no one behind and generates wealth across the food chain and Province. This is further supported by the fact that we must take action based on the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We must not cancel the Cap and Trade Act as it is the very legislation that we need at a time like this. In addition, we will lose opportunities across business, non-profit sector and government agencies (like schools) for investment from the Federal Government in our Province. We cannot afford to cancel the Cap and Trade Act and it is irresponsible fiscally and for the well-being of the residents of Ontario. Bill 4 should not be passed.

Internationally, keeping the Cap and Trade Act and not allowing Bill 4 to be passed is supported by the recent report "Global Warming of 1.5 °C" which is an IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. This demonstrates that Bill 4 takes Ontario to the wrong side of this issue and backwards according to what is needed to save life as we know it in Ontario.

I want to turn to the Green Party of Ontario's submission as they have completed research and invested time in ensuring they are presenting the correct technical details. I agree with the points they have made as listed below.

Please find below the Green Party of Ontario’s submission regarding the proposed Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018.
We know from the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that we are dangerously close to crossing the catastrophic 1.5C tipping point that would lead to runaway climate change. It is in the context of this dire warning that we call on the government to take urgent action to reduce our emissions and formulate a plan for adapting to a changing climate.

Summary
Bill 4 fails to match the urgency of the climate crisis and represents a major step backward in the fight against climate change.
It is unfair and unreasonable to eliminate the province’s only climate plan without being transparent with the public about the plan to replace it.
Bill 4 closes Ontario for business to the $26 trillion global clean economy and will have a negative effect on clean jobs and investment.
Pollution pricing must be a pillar for a climate plan to be efficient and effective.
A credible climate plan would include binding targets to shift Ontario towards being 100% carbon neutral by 2050, supported by specific measures in the areas of energy efficiency, home and building heating, transportation, electricity, and climate adaptation.

Where Bill 4 goes wrong
The consultation process for Bill 4 was insufficient
Bill 4 ignores the urgency of climate change
Bill 4 closes Ontario for business to the clean economy
Bill 4 gives little detail about a replacement plan
Bill 4 does not contain binding emissions targets
Bill 4 eliminates the most important policy tool: pollution pricing

The way forward: Recommendations for a credible climate plan
Adopt carbon fee and dividend
Focus on energy efficiency in homes and buildings
Electrify our transportation system
Support jobs and investment in the clean economy
Make our electricity system clean, affordable, and community-owned
Prepare Ontario for climate impacts

Conclusion
We cannot accept that increasingly severe wildfires, flooding and storms are our new normal.
We still have time to act.
We need profitable plans to do our part in the climate crisis, making GHG reductions a priority across all ministries in government. Time and money is wasted when problematic legislation such as Bill 4, as well government programs and spending plans, undermine our climate obligations.
Let’s get going.