Ontario’s Climate Change…

Ontario’s Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act, 2016 gave Ontario a competitive economic edge by encouraging the province to develop into a strong economic leader in the 21st century. By taking important steps forward to support smart economic growth that takes our rapidly changing environment into account, the Act supports the continued thriving of Ontario job growth, public health and overall wellness. In absence of aggressive new environmental legislation that tackles important climate change issues, the Act of 2016 must continue to be enforced. Without even stronger environmental and economic legislation introduced immediately as a replacement, Bill 4, Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018 will negatively harm our economy, environment and health of Ontario citizens. Repealing the 2016 Act also indicates to business and other governments that Ontario is not ready for forward thinking economic growth appropriate to our current era. As a life long Ontario resident, whose family relies on primary sector employment in rural Ontario (and Alberta), who lives in rural areas and as someone who has spent time in Eastern, Southern and Northern Ontario, I know that Ontarians support strong environmental change and understand how a healthy environment impacts us all. A healthy environment is essential to the health of our economy and communities.