Cap and Trade is an…

Cap and Trade is an effective way of putting a price on carbon to reduce emissions and lessen the harm we are doing to the environment for us and future generations. Ontario's current system, linked with Quebec and California, has brought about $3 billion into our province to pay for actions that further reduce GHGs - like upgrades to buildings, and rebates for electric cars.

While there may be other ways to put a price on carbon - carbon fee and dividend, for instance - changing the system now that it is up and running would be a huge waste of money for the province. It doesn't make sense for a government that has expressly stated it is into cost savings to eliminate a system that is bringing in money and paying for programs like those I've mentioned.

Ontario has been recognized internationally as a world leader in this regard. I would hate to see us turn back the clock, eliminate a good program, and become freeloaders on the coattails of those jurisdictions who have the guts to tackle the biggest threat facing the human race.

Cap and trade works. In California, the economy is growing under cap and trade. And while they grow their economy, they recently reached an emissions reduction target - four years early. Similar cap and trade programs are operating in about nine states on the eastern seaboard in the U.S., as well as in Europe, with similar positive results -- job growth and emissions reductions.

A report by the Clean Economy Alliance looking at Ontario found that in 2017, the first year of cap-and-trade, Ontario's economy was strong, adding 155,000 jobs. And our unemployment rate was at a six-year low -- lower than the national average.

Tackling climate change by reducing emissions can and does create jobs and it spurs innovation -- just what we need for a cleaner, healthier future.