Credit Valley Conservation …

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is a community-based environmental organization dedicated to protecting, restoring and managing the natural resources of the Credit River Watershed. Established by the provincial government in 1954, we are one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario.

Climate change action is inherent in our work at CVC:
• we lead and advance local science to guide adaptive management and reduce the risk from the impacts of climate change,
• we increase awareness and engage communities to inspire on-the ground-actions that mitigate and adapt to climate change,
• we work with partners to champion innovative technologies and processes through our operations,
• we implement and encourage on the ground actions to strengthen natural and human system resiliency, and
• we protect life and livelihoods through policy, plan review and input, flood forecasting and warning systems to ultimately protect people, nature and the built environment in our changing climate.

We achieve these outcomes by working with our community (residents, landowners, businesses, community groups, colleges, universities, municipal, provincial and federal partners).

Climate change impacts are on the rise. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) notes that Ontario is warming faster than the global average (ECO Climate Action in Ontario, 2018). With an average annual temperature increase of 1.5°C in Ontario and more warming forecasted from existing greenhouse gas emissions, the historic climate normal used to design Ontario’s economy, infrastructure and standards are no longer applicable (ECO Climate Action in Ontario, 2018). We have seen an increase in extreme weather events over the last few years (e.g. extreme rain, wind, flooding) that have highlight our climate and infrastructure vulnerabilities and brought with them in 2018, over $890 million dollars in damages (ECO Climate Action Ontario, 2018). There are significant environmental, social and economic repercussions in delaying action on climate change. Based on the United States Council of Economic Advisors global estimates, missing the climate targets (stabilizing at 3 degrees instead of 2 degrees) would result in an additional $7.5 billion dollars in damage to Ontario’s GDP (United States Council of Economic Advisers 2014).

Given the warming Ontario climate, we look to the Province of Ontario to bring science-informed policy and leadership to drive the urgent, on the ground and behavioural changes needed to meet Ontario’s reductions and international targets. To protect our people, nature, the built environment and our economy, it is crucial there is a Provincial plan to take action now to reduce our emissions, provide a source of funds to adapt our environment and transition us to a low carbon economy. Instead of delaying implementation by 6 months to do yet another plan, the government should move immediately to continue with the cap and trade program

In 2015, Canada made a commitment to the world to participate in the business of reducing greenhouse gases. The Cap and Trade program was one of the most innovative programs established by the Province of Ontario to support the reduction of Greenhouse gases (GHG) that has been proven to exponentially drive climate change. The burning of fossil fuels (chiefly transportation, buildings and waste management) was determined to be the key sources in Ontario. A big reduction in Ontario’s GHGs was realized in 2016 credited to the closure of our coal fired plants. It was understood that governments needed to drive more action to continue reduce GHG to meet our international commitments. The establishment of the Cap and Trade program demonstrated the recognition of the consequences of inaction and put in place a polluter pay system with clear legally binding targets on industry that could assist GHG reduction without undue stress on the taxpayers. The Cap and Trade program came into effect in January 2017 was designed to incentivize carbon reduction and promote the development of alternative approaches and new technology to reduce emissions. The program was based on scientific data and projections and represented a win-win approach and by the end of the end of 2017, generated over 1.9 billion in revenue (ECO Climate Action in Ontario, 2018).

The Cap and Trade program was designed by Ontario for Ontario and appeared to an approach that was building in consensus as demonstrated by the various innovative activities being promoted by industry and local governments alike. The general public albeit not immediately, would benefit in multiple ways such as:
a) A cleaner environment. Greenhouse gases affect temperature and air quality that have direct impacts to habitat and species (fauna and flora) and water quality impacted by more frequent and intense weather events.
b) A healthier environment and reduced medical costs. Greenhouse gases have been linked to an increase air related medical conditions.
c) Reduced taxation to address and repair infrastructure not historically designed to withstand climate change and fire-fighting.
d) Reduced insurance rates resulting from personal property damage.
e) An incentive program that feeds back into the Provincial economy and taxpayers directly (green subsidies) versus a tax that would not promote innovation locally and most importantly,
f) A leading edge green industry that would foster more jobs, foreign investment and a stronger economy. The Cap and Trade program was one of the few programs where 100% of the proceeds ($2.9B at the time of cancellation) were required to be re-invested in technologies and subsidies to promote greenhouse gas emission reduction.

By canceling this carbon pricing plan, the federal government will apply its carbon tax beginning January 2019. Ontario’s program was not a carbon tax, but rather a system that would promote GHG emission reduction by large carbon emitting companies and governments by providing targets and incentives. The federal carbon tax is a different market mechanism aimed at the same outcome. It is a tax in the true sense and aimed at consumers rather than producers to drive the required behavioural shift. The federal government will control all revenue from the carbon tax.

Funds from the Cap and Trade program were slated to go to various sectors that have now been cancelled, including $100 million (with matching funds) to municipalities engaged in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account, 752 renewable energy projects, and numerous innovative industry and clean technology initiatives (ECO Climate Action in Ontario, 2018). By cancelling the Cap and Trade program, other climate programs funded by the Federal Government’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership are now in jeopardy as provinces that do not participate in the Pan-Canadian Framework are no longer eligible for additional types of funding (ECO Climate Action in Ontario, 2018).

The effects of cancelling the Cap and Trade program cascade into municipalities and agencies. In conversations with our lower-tiered municipalities, we have been made aware that there are several companies that have lost local jobs and significant revenue from the cancellation of the Cap and Trade Program (e.g. cement industry).

The Region of Peel, City of Mississauga, Town of Caledon, City of Brampton, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority formed the Community Climate Change Partnership to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change as we transition to low carbon and resilient communities within Peel Region. Four strategies (Low Carbon Community, Flood Resiliency, Green Natural Infrastructure and Public Education) were identified to focus our efforts for the next five years. These strategies were developed to align with the Province of Ontario’s direction and priorities on climate change to strengthen the impact of the Partnership’s actions. Cancelling the Cap and Trade program withdrew the funds needed to implement the Low Carbon Community Strategy, which would have otherwise resulted in reducing community greenhouse gas emissions in priority areas.

The loss of the Cap and Trade program places increased pressure on municipalities and conservation authorities to respond to the impacts of climate change. Ultimately, local impacts will be realized and taxpayers will bear the costs of these future impacts.

Finally, trends in litigation with respect to climate change impacts indicate an increase in legal action by citizens to greenhouse gas emitting companies who are aware of their operational impacts and governments who have a duty of care to permit and manage activities for the greater good. Even smaller vulnerable countries have been speaking out on the climate change impacts (climatic events such as the increase in frequency and intensity of hurricanes) promoted by operations in big industrial countries and their global responsibility to do better.

Mitigation and adaptation is necessary to manage impacts and Ontario needs to establish its leadership if not via a Cap and Trade program, then through another equally effective program that aggressively promotes greenhouse gas reduction but also drives innovation. There is a need for targets and laws to ensure they are met with monitoring and transparency built in. Investments in energy savings and reduction in risk to property owners will yield a much higher benefit that by offering gas pump savings.

Climate change is an urgent, current and collective issue that requires all of us to work together. We encourage the Province to leverage existing knowledge, resources, and initiatives generated from the Cap and Trade program to create a path forward to a thriving economy and healthy environment. Innovation and incentives from the Cap and Trade program could be rolled into a new climate action plan that will increase jobs in Ontario while building resiliency and mitigation to climate change.

The time to act on climate change is now – not months from now with a new plan that will take a year to become implemented. We encourage the government to put aside its philosophical differences with the previous government and focus on what is best for Ontario by helping us mitigate and adapt to our new climate reality. The government of Ontario needs to acknowledge the trends that scientists are reporting and take aggressive action. On October 8th, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report stated that “The next few years are probably the most important in our history”. If not the Cap and Trade program, then another equally strong mechanism is needed to drive the change. We cannot afford, financially or morally to wait or ignore what is happening right in front of us on a daily basis. We have an opportunity to grow our economy while building a more resilient environment and we can only do so with informed strong leadership. Ontario needs:
• a meaningful climate law that can survive changes in 4 year political terms;
• an action plan to produce real results on the ground; and
• a Provincial government that will work with others (other provincial parties, federal government, international agreements) to maximize collective impact for the good of Ontarians and all Canadians.