Our family is writing in…

Our family is writing in regards to the government’s shortsighted decision to end Ontario’s Cap and Trade program and do away with related programs designed to minimize our effects on Climate Change, while also benefitting the lives of Ontario residents. On July 3rd, Premier Ford indicated that the Cap and Trade system (and carbon taxes in general which are continually confused by many politicians as being similar) are “no more than government cash grabs that do nothing for the environment”. The Premier is incorrect and ill-informed in this regard.

Let me provide you with an example which demonstrates how this Cap and Trade system benefitted residents like our family, and convey how your government’s decision will impact us, the economy, and the environment. Our family took advantage of the GreenON program (funded by the revenue neutral Cap and Trade system) and obtained a smart thermostat which is already showing measurable benefits to our pocketbooks, and as a result minimizes our impact on the environment through conservation of gas and electricity and associated reduction of emissions. Within the very near future we were also planning on taking advantage of the provincial incentives to purchase an electric vehicle from a local car dealership (which without these incentives are beyond the reach of many Ontarians). Like many Ontarians we will now forgo these purchases and make no mistake - the local and provincial economy will be worse for it. We would like to be part of positive environmental change and will therefore attempt to refrain from making any vehicle purchases until either the current government reconsiders this ill-informed decision, or a more progressive government takes power at a later date.

As identified in the October 2018 UN Climate Change report, the climate change outlook is dire and requires immediate and strong action and leadership from governments. Pricing carbon as a means to stimulate technological advances and achieve our climate goals has been demonstrated by leading economists, two of which recently received Nobel prizes for their work in this area. The government of Ontario’s decision to back out of Cap and Trade or any meaningful pricing of carbon is both embarrassing and absolute proof that Provincial policy by this government is not being informed by science or economic experts. True leadership should be shown by the Province to reinstate the Cap and Trade program, and abort any legal action against the federal government to prevent imposing carbon taxes in the absence of Provincial leadership. Any and all funds obtained to date through Cap and Trade should also be used only for climate change reduction programs and not to address the financial impacts of cancelling such programs.

Our family can only hope that our elected officials come to their senses and reinstate sound climate change policy and programs. As residents of Ontario we demand environmental leadership on behalf of our children and future generations.