Oct. 10, 2018 The…

Oct. 10, 2018
The cancellation of the Cap and Trade plan now underlines the urgency of Ontario taking action to develop an effective alternative carbon pricing policy. The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, affirming that climate change is here and could start to become very costly, very quickly, is a clarion call to action that Ontario must respond to.
Given the controversy surrounding the merits and drawbacks of the Cap and Trade approach, I urge the government of Ontario to introduce a carbon tax, fee or levy --- call it what you will --- that will be easily understood and engage the public more readily. The idea of a carbon fee and dividend, as advanced by Canadians for Clean Prosperity, is one model that's worth serious consideration. The level of the fee, and the size of the dividend (preferably set in a progressive way, so that lower-income households would receive a larger dividend than higher-income) can be debated. Whatever the final numbers, I urge the government to introduce a carbon fee and dividend that reflects the same principles as progressive taxation.
Certainly, it is time for Ontario to show leadership in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and to implement cleaner, more environmentally sustainable policies. As noted in The Globe and Mail op-ed page today, there are now three times as many countries using carbon pricing as there were a decade ago. More countries are getting on board ever year, including China and Mexico, and 10 states in the United States already use carbon pricing.
I urge the government to act without delay. It is time to produce an enlightened carbon pricing plan that will respond to growing public concern and ensure that Ontario is part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.
Thank you.