The move by Ontario to scrap…

The move by Ontario to scrap cap-and-trade is quite short sighted especially in light of the recent UN Intergovernmental Report on Climate Change. The issue of Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges of our times. For an administration interested in being 'for the people' and reducing the cost of government, you are off to an horrendous start.

Your administration has now invited costly and protracted lawsuits. I see that Greenpeace is first out the gate. California and Quebec may soon follow along with several companies who will demand compensation for now worthless credits purchased in good faith. These costs will escalate into the tens and possibly hundreds of billions. The recent renegotiation of NAFTA, the USMCA, may have left us more vulnerable to law-suits by foreign entities that may not have been envisaged when Bill 4 was tabled.

This is not to mention forgone revenue from the program itself which was approximately $3 billion. One of the goals of a cap-and-trade program is to encourage and speed adoption of climate friendly behaviour and practices. It is documented that when companies invest in energy efficient practices, there is often an accompanying drop in waste materials and increase in profits. The Green Energy Act and cap-and-trade are a vital parts of keeping Ontario open for business.

Citizens of Ontario now have no incentives to make their cars, homes and businesses more energy efficient. This also hurts firms are in the business of making our homes and workplaces less reliant on greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels. Now only the well heeled or doggedly determined can afford to be energy efficient. The rebates that came with the now defunct GreenON program allowed social housing authorities to improve their infrastructure and use the savings to improve their operations. Is this how a government for the people treats its most vulnerable?

The World Heath Organization has presented these key facts on climate change:
* Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.
* Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress.
* The direct damage costs to health (i.e. excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation), is estimated to be between USD 2-4 billion/year by 2030.

I recognize that cap-and-trade as implemented in Ontario was not perfect and certain elements definitely needed improvement. However with Bill 4 I see a government that fails to recognize the disastrous impacts of climate change on daily life. Companies and individuals alike have now been shown no leadership to alter their behaviour. Bill 4 is being enacted without appropriate public consultation, and if past performance in Queen's Park is any example, it may likely be rushed into law with inadequate discussion. Bill 4 has been brought in with no effective replacement and no details on Ontario will disengage from the multi-national exchange.

Bill 4 is not creating an environment where Ontario businesses are at the cutting edge. It is also not Enacting Bill 4 is reckless, irresponsible and not neighbourly. Local actions have global impact. I want to live in an Ontario where we are a global leader, not a pariah because of our lack of environmental foresight.