Cancellation of Cap and…

Cancellation of Cap and Trade is wrong. The Ford government is misinformed and moving forward without a plan to address what is very widely considered the biggest challenge that we are facing in our lifetime.

1.) Cap and Trade works. It's proven. Done right, it will reduce costs in the long run. Yes, some prices will increase. Why? because the increased cost will go towards advancing technologies that will reduce GHGs and transform the market. For example, gas will be more expensive but that will help with the advancement of electric and alternate vehicles and will motivate people to buy low emissions vehicles to reduce their own GHG emissions. Those increased costs will result in savings! The money from Cap and Trade was going to installing thermostats that would reduce money spent on heating. It would go to paying for LED light bulbs that would save on electricity costs. Lastly, the Environmental Commissioner's report provided solid evidence that Cap and Trade was working but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears with the Ford government.

2.) From the National Post: "Bill Nordhaus has been writing for four decades about climate change and the value of using prices to reduce carbon emissions. His research shows that raising prices through, say, a carbon tax, is a far more effective and efficient way to lower carbon emissions than direct government controls on the quantity of emissions through, say, regulatory limits on cars and power plants. Higher prices will encourage firms and consumers to find alternatives to carbon-based products as well as encourage new technologies that will make those substitutes competitive. This has become the mainstream view among economists."

3.) Doug Ford was recently interviewed on CTV News with Ken Shaw and he was asked about his plan to reduce GHG Emissions. His answer was that he believes that companies will do "the right thing". This is an absolute betrayal of the people. Companies cannot be relied upon to reduce GHG emissions. More than likely, companies will not be willing to invest in GHG reductions unless there is monetary motivation. Without Cap and Trade, there is less motivation for companies to do anything.

4.) Cap and Trade was creating jobs! It made jobs available to contractors and builders who implement GHG reducing technologies and energy companies and engineering firms that assist people and companies reduce their GHG emissions.

5.) The recent report produced by the IPCC indicates that if we don't make immediate and meaningful changes in the next 12-20 years there will be far worse than expected. refer to the Summary For Policy Makers in the supporting link. Loss of ecosystems, affects on human migration, sea level rise, drought, extreme heat, loss of plant and animal species, etc.

It's time for Canada to step up. What's happening with Canadian politics when it comes to Climate Change is very disappointing and un-Canadian. Canada and Ontario needs to be a leader and an innovator in the fight against climate change. Canada needs to do it's part. As a developed country, Canada has benefited tremendously from technologies and industries that have been emitting GHGs into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. And now it's our turn to fix it. We can no longer be part of the problem. We need to be Canadians, citizens of the Earth and world leader in fixing our only home.