The Cap and Trade system in…

The Cap and Trade system in Ontario has been an enormous benefit to Ontarians, providing access to a larger, unified carbon market to businesses, and valuable subsidies to residents to help reduce energy use. As an Ontario resident, I have benefited directly from the existing system, using it to help subsidize the cost of energy efficient products for my home which would have otherwise been out of reach due to their price. The Act has allowed me to reduce my energy consumption, which, as my single largest source of carbon emissions, means it has allowed me to reduce my personal impact on global climate change.

Research shows that cap and trade systems used to fund rebates to residents are effective and progressive ways to reduce carbon emissions and help mitigate climate change. Repealing an effective system like the one in Ontario would be a disastrous mistake - it will have a negative impact on businesses who can no longer use their credits, residents will no longer have access to subsidies to help them reduce their carbon emissions, and we will no longer have an effective tool to contribute to the fight against global climate change. When Australia repealed their carbon pricing system, the trend of reduced emissions that had begun was reversed in earnest, and Ontario is highly likely to see a similar effect. Repealing Cap and Trade will hurt business, hurt Ontarians, and hurt the planet. We can not afford to allow Bill 4, Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018 to become law.