Our company is a small…

Our company is a small business, based in Ontario and operating across Canada; providing our customers with carbon neutral, modern wood heating solutions. Modern wood heating is the most cost effective, carbon neutral heating choice for our northern climate. As such we work with residential, commercial and government clients focused on reducing carbon emissions, investing in local jobs and revitalizing the forestry sector. Please see the video in the link provided for a brief summary of modern wood heating.

We are deeply disappointed with the proposed Cap and Trade Cancellation (Bill 4). Ontario entered the Cap and Trade system after extensive consultation with the private sector. While there are other paths for Ontario to reduce carbon emissions and address Climate Change, Cap and Trade was the path we agreed to take. As a result, our company made significant investments of human resources and capital into the Ontario market under Cap and Trade. The removal of this program has a significant impact on our operations.

For example, the cancellation of the Haliburton District Wood Heating Project (echoed on page 73 of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario’s 2018 Greenhouse Gas Progress Report) has cancelled a Central Ontario wood heating movement that would have resulted in cost savings, job creation and carbon emission reductions. This was one of our projects in Ontario and its loss is a blow to our business, our partners and the rural community of Haliburton.

There is a desperate need in Central and Northern Ontario for heating alternatives as oil, propane and electricity are costly and are net carbon emitters (we acknowledge that Ontario’s electricity is relatively low carbon compared to oil and propane). In addition, the jobs and increased local investment that come with modern wood heat are essential for northern communities that have felt the prolonged downturn in the forestry sector. The Cap and Trade program provided a path for modern wood heating solutions to be deployed.

The Cap and Trade system is an effective tool at leveraging funds from high carbon fuels and diverting them towards low carbon technologies. It provides a clear framework for the private sector to make investments and build sustainable carbon neutral solutions.

Let it be clear that we are not taking a side on the political debate. There are other options that we can use to reduce carbon emissions. That said, without a plan to take its place, we urge this government reconsider its plan to enact Bill 4, the Cap and Trade Cancellation Act. The chaotic regulatory landscape this action will create will stifle investment in green-tech in Ontario and see other jurisdictions gain a significant competitive advantage.

Thank you for considering our comments.

Best regards,
Michael Rutter
Operations Manager - Biothermic