I feel more strongly about…

I feel more strongly about the cancellation of Ontario's carbon reduction plan than about any other issue - EVER.
I can't believe that any thinking group of politicians would so glibly trade the future of the planet for short-lived political gain.
How can you deny the work of thousands of scientists who have studied climate change for years?
How can you deny that carbon tax works to reduce emissions, even where money-focussed corporations are concerned? It has worked well in Scandinavia. Here in Canada, those who are devoid of ethics, wisdom or care for the planet will continue to pollute unless there is a government-imposed financial control on emissions. We owe it to ourselves, future generations and everyone else on the planet to maintain an effective price on pollution. Personally, I'm happy to pay a few more cents/litre for gas if it means that Ontario is observing our commitment to reduce emissions. The cost at the pump now will be nothing compared to the costs our children will pay if this urgency of this issue isn't taken seriously.

The people of Ontario need to understand exactly what is being thrown away here.

The following letter represents my observations and thoughts on this issue: 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

We cannot accept that increasingly severe wildfires, flooding and storms are our new normal.

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.