Firstly, it is disgraceful…

Firstly, it is disgraceful that the government tried to tear down the cap-and-trade program without complying with its legal obligation to consult with the public. This is shameful. Climate change is the single biggest challenge facing humanity - according to the scientists and the recent report of the IPCC the planet may already be doomed if we don’t take drastic action immediately. Climate change is NOT something which should be used in party politics.

Ontario’s cap-and-trade regime demonstrates that Ontario is a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It supports a growing, cutting-edge green economy and has polluters paying into a fund that will be used to further reduce greenhouse gases by investing in such things as energy efficiency in schools and hospitals. To undo all of this would be an absolute shame.

Ontarians worked hard to achieve the cap-and-trade regime, with over 1,500 people attending consultations in 14 communities all across the province and thousands more giving feedback online. Please rethink this proposed policy approach and do not destroy something with widespread support. 

This climate plan has helped Ontario lower its emissions by around four per cent per year and create thousands of jobs in the process. Removing it would be a massive step backwards in the fight against climate change. It is embarrassingly clear that the government does not have any solid, researched, scientifically-based policy to replace the cap and trade system.

Cap-and-trade helps fund all sorts of programs which help Ontarians reduce their carbon pollution and save money. Without this support, these incentives will disappear and cutting emissions will be far more expensive.

Repealing this legislation is even more foolhardy when one understands that the federal government has been very clear it will still impose a carbon tax on the province. Please do not waste tax-payers money by fighting the federal government in court regarding the carbon tax. Canada must take solid steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. Ontario’s cap and trade regime does that. Without it, Ontario has no solid policy for reducing emissions and the federal government will step in to ensure each province does its part.

In closing, as a government that promises to act “for the people”, I beg you to reconsider your proposal. I am one of those people and so are my children. I want to live in a progressive, morally-sound province that is a world leader in fighting climate change. If this proposal goes forward, I will be ashamed to live in this province.