Hello to the MPPs and…

Hello to the MPPs and Premier at Queen's Park, please find my comments below.

I implore you NOT remove the cap and trade program, which was already paying dividends to Ontarians, including major funding for local green infrastructure projects (transit, walking, cycling, carpooling/carsharing), green energy projects, and household and business energy efficiency programs, including individual and community grants.

Thousands of spin-off jobs were being generated and our carbon credit auction sales sold out, to the best impressions of major climate leading nations around the world *every single time*. We were on-top, with clean, smog-free air, no more coal, and a steady shift to more efficient homes, more green energy, and more choice in how we move and live, in a more sustainable way. The dividends and benefits are real for carbon pricing. In fact, just ask the new Nobel Prize winner in economics, who is world-renowned, and a far better expert than myself or anyone within the political silos (of any party) at Queen's Park - to be frank. His name is William Nordhaus, and he was co-recipient for this years Nobel Prize for economics (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/business/economic-science-nobel-priz…) for his groundbreaking work on carbon pricing.

Details: https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2018/10/10/bill-nordhaus-th…

As his examination and that of countless other experts shows, carbon pricing is proven to work, especially via Conservative experts, who invented the darn thing! Here are just a few snapshots exploring how, and why we should build and grow this framework, rather than dismantle it, for further pollution, costs, and lost jobs, below. Please explore these articles, expert views, and datasets, before making such a rapid and limited consultation-based decision on removing a key policy tool, widely regarded as *the most effective way to tackle climate change, affordably*.

Ontario Success Story: https://environmentaldefence.ca/2018/04/09/two-new-reports-clean-econom…

One successful credit auction after another - the world was watching, and celebrating!: https://globalnews.ca/news/3741801/cap-and-trade-auction-ontario/

Economic and environmental opportunity with cap and trade: https://www.competeprosper.ca/blog/greening-ontarios-economy-through-ca…

Carbon pricing effectiveness examination 1: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-carbon-pricing-works-c…
Carbon pricing effectiveness examination 2: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/04/26/carbon-pricing-…

Modifying carbon pricing for maximum public benefit: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-018-0201-2

Carbon pricing leadership (FAQ, case studies, best practices): https://www.carbonpricingleadership.org/

Carbon pricing cost vs. benefit: https://globalnews.ca/news/4476897/mark-cameron-carbon-pricing-report/

Program cut consequences (lost jobs, business, revenue): https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/industry-slams-doug-ford-green-e…

Financial probe of rapid cancellation - harming our reputation as environmental leaders: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontarios-fiscal-watchdog…

Greenpeace sues Ontario government - looks bad for business, and lays bare the reality of lost policy, without anything new: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/greenpeace-suing-ontario-governm…

Lost opportunity, jobs, funding, in my own city, voted all Conservative - this time: https://www.mississauga.com/news-story/8797000-cap-and-trade-cancellati…

Furthermore, I fully support the report and recommendations by our (Ontario's) Environmental Commissioner who, as a non-partisan oversight to policy on the environment, provided sound and clear advice on a path forward, encouraging this government to do the responsible thing for present and future generations, and build a clear plan to cut emissions, via carbon pricing, before and without dismantling the current successful system.

In review:
"Key Recommendations

The Commissioner recommends the implementation of a climate action program with sustained and credible long-term commitments to achieve statutory emission reductions that:

1. Employs a "polluter-pay" principle as a financial incentive to reduce pollution;
2. Unlocks funds for investment in low-carbon solutions; and
3. Regulates climate pollution and enforces regulations.

The Commissioner calls on the provincial government to create a climate change law that would drive down emissions while funding sensible solutions through science-based emissions budgets, a legal obligation to stay within those budgets, and credible, transparent progress reporting."

Thanks for your time, effort, and consideration of so many Ontarians feedback, to protect our environment and economy. Please do the right thing and listen to the experts and countless success stories all over the world, including right here at home.

Carbon pricing works.