To the Ministry of…

To the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks,

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this important consultation on the future of Ontario’s climate plan.

Based on the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, it is clear that we are dangerously close to crossing the catastrophic 1.5C tipping point that would lead to runaway climate change on our planet. It is in the context of this dire warning that I call on the government to take urgent action to reduce our emissions and formulate a plan for adapting to a changing climate.

Bill 4 fails to match the urgency of the climate crisis and represents a major step backward in the fight against climate change. The consultation process for Bill 4 was insufficient and would result in closing Ontario for business in the clean economy. Bill 4 fails in that, it gives insufficient details about a replacement plan, it does not contain binding emissions targets and that it eliminates pollution pricing.

In light of our current climatic and environmental standing, it is essential that we immediately move forward with a credible climate plan that binds Ontario to targets that will shift our province towards being 100% carbon neutral by 2050. This includes, but is not limited to: adopting carbon fee and dividend, focusing on energy efficiency in homes and buildings, electrifying our transportation system, supporting jobs and investments in the clean economy, making our electricity system clean and sufficiently preparing Ontario for future climatic impacts.

As a citizen of Ontario, Canada and the world, I will not 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.

Thank you for your time and consideration,