I am deeply concerned about…

I am deeply concerned about climate change and how the proposed legislation will diminish our Province's efforts and effectiveness in reducing our GHG emissions. I am concerned about how it undermines our national commitment to the Paris Agreement and about how it removes significant financial support for people, businesses and municipalities who wish to invest in progressive climate action. The proposed legislation introduces requirements that are redundant in that we already have an adequate climate action plan with emission reduction targets; both of which were subject to rigorous stakeholder and public consultation via the EBR. Economic research is consistently indicating that the imposition of carbon pricing via taxes or cap and trade systems is effective in driving behavioural changes that are curbing GHG emissions.

The proposed legislation will reinforce regressive taxation while removing a critical funding source for capital projects and programs that Ontarians and Ontario organizations want to undertake. If the legislation moves forward how will the government of Ontario fund progressive action on climate change? How will people and organizations be incentivized to use less petroleum and invest in cleaner vehicles, equipment, buildings and infrastructure?

The proposed legislation undermines the development and competitiveness of Ontario's nascent green economy by removing funding from all levels of new projects related to energy retrofit, electrification of vehicles, renewable energy and development of innovative fuels, systems, services and technologies.

In summary the proposed legislation deconstructs massive amounts of positive and hard won progress on climate action, is out of sync with the federal government and most of the thinking world and allows Ontario to backslide.

I am not in favour of this proposed legislation proceeding unless it is amended to:

1) require the creation of GHG emission reduction targets that exceed those currently in place,
2) require the creation of a financial disincentive to the increased use of petroleum fuels, and
3) require the creation of a sustainable revenue stream to support investment in climate action projects and programs.