This Bill is utterly…

This Bill is utterly ridiculous, and also quite possibly illegal. Under the Environmental Bill of Rights, Ontarians are guaranteed a clear and accountable consultation process whenever Bills are introduced that affect their rights to clean air, water and land. This Bill cancels the Ontario Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act (not just Cap and Trade) while offering absolutely nothing in lieu of it. The fact that there is no other plan being offered makes it very difficult to offer effective comments, nor does there appear to be any plan communicated of how any comments will be assured of being heeded or integrated into any (if any) new plan. So, democracy and human environmental rights, already established, seem to be at risk here, as well as the actual climate change plan. That makes for a lot to comment on, as well as confusing.

Therefore, I will recommend aspects of an acceptable climate plan, but perhaps more importantly, I will recommend ways to ensure that whatever emerges from this consultation process conforms to both the democratic tradition as well as the Environmental Bill of Rights.

1. The Ontario Government is required to offer an alternative climate change plan BEFORE it cancels the current Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act.

2. Any alternative plan should have the following:

a) adherence to the legislated current carbon pollution reduction targets of : 15% below 1990 levels by 2020, 37% reduction by 2030, and 80% reduction by 2050, if not better. All targets should be in line with Canada's commitments to no more than 1.5 warming (already happening in Ontario) of the Paris Climate Agreement.

b) a scientific assessment of how transparant reporting will happen on these targets. In other words, a reporting mechanism that is yearly, and accountable.

c) a polluter-pays system that identifies, assesses and puts a price on big carbon emitters.

d) clear investment in carbon-pollution decreasing technology, in government, business and private ownership, including energy-efficiency infrastructure, low-carbon emitting transportation such as public transit and electric cars, as well as development regulations and retrofits for private and public buildings.

e) investment and policy supporting low-carbon jobs, such as service jobs, and a clear means of incorporating value for low-carbon jobs in all economic planning.

f) support/subsidies for rural and Native communities for integrating renewable, community-beneficial energy/electricity projects. This may include re-thinking the cancellation of over 750 renewable energy projects, mostly in rural and first nations communities.

I seriously hope whoever is reading this understands that climate change, and the transition to a low-to-no-carbon economy is important to Ontarians, and we will not tolerate any government ignoring this problem.

3. Clearly, there also needs to be a way for citizens of Ontario to check up on this government and make sure they are on track to meeing our climate goals. There also must be a clear way for us to commment on and engage in this process. So far, this is not so. DO BETTER. WE ARE WATCHING.

This is not a partisan issue. It's a scientific issue. Seriously. If you need something to refer to , I would recommend the following:

https://docs.assets.eco.on.ca/reports/climate-change/2018/Climate-Actio…
http://www.ipcc.ch/apps/eventmanager/documents/52/300820180302-Doc.%201…

Thanks,