Cap and Trade should not be…

Cap and Trade should not be cancelled without having a meaningful replacement for it. One that has had meaningful public consultation to back it.

Future promises are not acceptable especially when you have not made clear what they are. Meaningful climate change laws need science-based emissions budgets, a legal obligation to stay within those budgets, and credible, transparent progress reporting as noted by the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. Set these up before you proceed.

As suggested by the Commissioner, polluter-pay tools can be used to give people more choice and a fair reward for reducing their emissions, and can help reduce other taxes they pay. Again, these must be developed and promoted before canceling Cap and Trade.

Ontario has an obligation to get ready to deal with climate change - sadly the banking and insurance community is way ahead of this province now in this regard. We need to get back to being a leader in climate change. Failure to do so will cost the province billions in losses.

Finally, this government should pay compensation when it affects investment and jobs as this proposal will. Failure to do so will destroy investor confidence in Ontario the same way that the thoughtless cancellation of green energy projects has done.