As a citizen of Ontario, I…

As a citizen of Ontario, I want to take this opportunity to comment on Bill 4, Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018 proposed by the province.

I adamantly oppose the cancellation of the cap and trade program. To suggest that this will drive up costs to hard-working families in Ontario is false. Cap and trade is a market-based policy that allows our free enterprise system flexibility to reduce pollution and allow supply and demand to set the price. We must all acknowledge that there is going to be a cost to tax payers regardless of the mechanism to reduce GHG emissions chosen; what we must seek is the most cost-effective way to do so. Moreover, the cost of doing nothing, or doing less, will be far greater to tax payers. Costs have increased for insurers addressing natural catastrophes claims; and for government to respond to these events and to strengthen infrastructure that must withstand these extreme weather events.

Please accept my comments into the following sections of Bill 4:

- Ontario must establish targets to reduce GHG emissions that align or exceed Canada's commitments made in Paris that will limit warming to 1.5 degrees
- I support the target of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
- Any new climate change plan needs to be built around established GHG emissions reduction goals
- Ontario needs to act quickly. Without a new plan in place to replace the current plan will require significant catch up and place the burden on our our hard-working Ontario families and businesses
- Ontario must be a leader - not a laggard. The government should consult widely on the new plan with businesses, economists, scientists and other climate change experts to develop a cost-effective, aggressive way forward.
- the new plan must clearly demonstrate that it is more cost-effective than the previous plan.

Programs and policies that should be included in the plan

Buildings and Energy:
- Ontario Building Code updates - allow opportunity to ramp up energy efficiency standards, and require new construction to accommodate low carbon technologies (i.e., solar, geothermal, EVs)
- Maintain programs to support net metering, rooftop solar, and other cost effective options to build energy resilience
- Modernize the clean fuel standard to lower GHG emissions from building and transportation fuels
- Implement a compulsory home energy labelling and disclosure system for homes during the home sale process. This has multiple benefits. Information collected can support policy goals, allow monitoring of building stock performance and efforts towards energy and GHG reduction targets; be used for statistical purposes; improve program design, effective marketing and targeted implementation of financial incentives and policies; help home and building owners make better decisions when operating, renovating or selling their properties; further research and development; Realtors can access the database to collect and validate information for clients; local authorities can use the information to support policies and enforcement of regulations; and the energy efficiency market could use data to introduce better products and service offerings for their customers

Transportation
- Modernize the clean fuel standard to lower GHG emissions from building and transportation fuel.
- Implement policies to reduce GHG emissions from freight vehicles, i.e. encourage switch to biodiesel blends with tax incentives, scrappage programs to replace old inefficient trucks, and support regional freight planning
- Invest strategically in transit expansion to reduce GHG emissions from passenger vehicles
- Invest in electric mobility by expanding electric vehicle charging network, providing incentives for EVs and free overnight charging for electric vehicles

Large commercial/industry
- Support clean technology with an innovation fund to help business/industry shift to cleaner, more efficient, cost-effective technologies

Requirement for Minister to prepare regular progress reports
- Establish a time frame for progress reports
- Include spending, costing and progress towards achieving GHG emissions reductions targets details as part of these reports