Ontario's government has a…

Ontario's government has a duty to help avoid the catastrophic environmental consequences of anthropogenic global warming. Cap & Trade systems have been shown to be the most economically effective incentive for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, the Nobel prize in economics was recently awarded for demonstrating this fact. As a market-driven mechanism, Cap & Trade should also be politically and philosophically attractive to those advocating a cost-effective, small-government style of leadership. Leaving Ontario without a carbon-reduction policy at this critical juncture condemns future generations to facing the consequences of today's inaction. Such a laissez-faire attitude is inexcusable.

It is therefore quite perverse for Bill#4 to seek to end Cap & Trade, particularly so when no alternative scheme has been put forward to take its place, and leads to the conclusion that this policy is not intended to serve the best interests of the people of Ontario, but that this short-sighted and selfish action is being taken out of spite, simply in order to erase the legacy of a previous government.

I call on the government to withdraw Bill#4 and instead draft policy that will ensure Ontario remains a leader in the fight against climate change.