Here is what Cap and Trade’s…

Here is what Cap and Trade’s cancellation, without a meaningful alternative to meet Paris Agreement standards means to me:
My own health, safety and property is in continued danger from pollution, record lethal heatwaves, flooding and forest fires.
My children will bear not only the economic burden of increasing climate change costs, but also will miss the full beauty of the outdoors I treasure as an Ontarian.
Jobs are lost in my community, many from innovators with programs of expansion to hire even more employees.
Growth and prosperity in my community is endangered as Bill 4 sends a message that we are ‘closed for business’ in the green tech industry, hurting our competitiveness in what could be a champion industry.
The biggest polluters, large companies with enormous heating and transportation costs are not required to pay for their impact on our lives, whereas I do, including health costs, property damage, infrastructure strain. Polluting for free leaves me to pick up the tab.
My own dreams as a developer to start my own company to make carbon neutral websites have been thrown a wrench—despite overwhelmingly positive feedback from potential clients, as I was applying to grants funded through cap and trade. I know I am just one small example of stunted business endeavour caused by Bill 4.

It doesn’t have to be this way! The idea that environmental and business interests are at odds is false. All over the world, and here in Canada companies and leaders are finding solutions that save energy, save money, and increase profit. What we need right now is investment in our future, not to turn backwards and ignore our responsibilities. The system was working, and it’s a crime to take the billions collected and redistribute them for different purposes. This money comes from our collective action at a time I’m so proud of. As Ontarians we acknowledged we couldn’t stay on our old course without endangering our future. Carbon reduction work must continue, our lives depend on it.