Dear Premier Ford, and all…

Dear Premier Ford, and all members of the Ontario Parliament,

I strongly beseech you to reconsider your plan to repeal the 'Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act, 2016'.

Repealing that act would be a very serious step backwards for Ontario, and will have long-term effects on the health of Ontario residents, the environment, and the entire future of Ontario.

Ontario will not be able to be 'Open for Business' if the people are sick, the agricultural base has been polluted, and the environment has been destroyed.

We can already see the extremely destructive effects of the climate change that has occurred already. Please refer to the most recent report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, if you have any doubts at all about the dire reality of climate change.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been developed with international cooperation, and I refer you to Goal 13- Climate Change. I quote:

"Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow. Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, weather events are becoming more extreme and greenhouse gas emissions are now at their highest levels in history. Without action, the world’s average surface temperature is likely to surpass 3 degrees centigrade this century. The poorest and most vulnerable people are being affected the most.

Affordable, scalable solutions are now available to enable countries to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient economies. The pace of change is quickening as more people are turning to renewable energy and a range of other measures that will reduce emissions and increase adaptation efforts. Climate change, however, is a global challenge that does not respect national borders. It is an issue that requires solutions that need to be coordinated at the international level to help developing countries move toward a low-carbon economy."

Your government is in a position of responsibility to the people of Ontario. You have the benefit of science to inform your decisions. Please honour your responsibility by guiding Ontario into a healthy future.

Sincerely, a concerned citizen (with a Bachelor of Science, and a Master of Public Health)