I am deeply concerned about…

I am deeply concerned about the proposal to remove mandatory reporting and verification for the emissions from fuel sold by Ontario oil and gas companies. Under these proposals, these industries will no longer have to report on emissions coming from "the consumption of the fuels they supply or distribute."

The proposal is also seeking to update how the government calculates the damage caused by different greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, by aligning it with United Nations standards.

And finally, it proposes removing verification for some entities that have to report carbon pollution. Ontario’s environmental plan says it will set “emissions performance standards” for large polluters that don’t meet industry-specific targets.

I am concerned that this move may reduce our understanding of the effects of emissions from the fuel industries. Timely, accurate emissions information is crucial in helping us optimize climate action.

There has been a steady stream of initiatives undertaken by this government to undermine environmental controls, monitoring and action at a time when we are heading towards a climate crisis.

These initiatives - coupled with undermining environmental programs which would fund and provide incentives to move to green energy and low carbon industries - are inadequate in addressing this crisis. We need to build on the positive initiatives our province has taken in the past (under a number of governments) to ensure a better future for the next generation.