I object to Bill 4, Cap and…

I object to Bill 4, Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018. It cancels a system that was effective in reducing Green House Gas emissions, and it is very vague about measures that might be implemented in the future to fulfill the same purpose. I urge you to support Ontario’s current science-based pollution reduction targets. Those targets set the province on track to be nearly carbon neutral by mid-century, which is what is required if we hope to limit global warming to 1.5. degrees, as agreed to by 195 countries in Paris. Ontarians are already facing the growing impacts of extreme weather: flooded basements, forest fires, and health impacts from polluted air and extreme heat. Backing away from Ontario’s pollution reduction targets will threaten future generations’ ability to enjoy a safe climate.

There is a system that would be even more effective than the Cap and Trade system. My recommendation would be to (a) gradually wind down the Cap and Trade system by following the provisions for termination that were included in the original act and accompanying regulations and (b) implement a CARBON FEE & DIVIDEND SYSTEM, starting at a low fee during the wind-down of Cap and Trade, and increasing to the levels recommended by Citizens Climate Lobby Canada when Cap and Trade has terminated.

The fee does raise the price of fuel, as the producers will have to pass the cost on. Since rich people use a lot more carbon fuel (and its by-products) than the poor, they pay out more than the poor, but the poor get the same averaged dividend, so they come out ahead. They can use that income for whatever they need. It will help them cover the increased cost of fuel. By adding a dumping fee to the cost of fuel, we give the market a signal to find ways to use less fuel, and the consumption goes down. To fully accomplish the move to a low-carbon economy, the Carbon Fee and Dividend policy needs to be accompanied by other policies which stimulate low-carbon innovation, to augment the encouragement to innovation generated by the increased price of carbon products.

An effective, made-in-Ontario climate change plan must tackle the major sources of carbon pollution in Ontario including transportation, industry, buildings and waste. Without strong action to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from these sources, the people of Ontario will face serious consequences to our health and our environment. I look forward to your plan that will transition Ontario to a healthier and more competitive province, create new jobs in many industries, and address the root cause of climate change by reducing carbon pollution.