ERO # 013-3738 – Bill 4, Cap…

ERO # 013-3738 – Bill 4, Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018

Our organization believes that immediate action from the province is critical, in the form of strong policies and effective programs, to both adapt to and mitigate climate change to protect the health of all Ontarians, now and in the future.

The evidence is clear: average global temperature is increasing and much of this is caused by human activities. The recent release of the IPCC Special Report, Global Warming of 1.5˚C, stresses the drastic need to reduce carbon emissions to avoid the substantial risks anticipated for global temperatures rising above 1.5˚C. There are multiple climate impacts associated with increases in global temperature. The Special Report notes with high confidence that increases in temperature up to 1.5˚C would result in higher extreme temperatures and increases in frequency, intensity and/or amount of heavy precipitation in many regions. Indeed, recent events such as the extreme temperatures that Ontario has experienced this past summer, the increasing number and extent of forest fires, tornadoes and other wind events and the damage from heavy rainfall and flooding illustrate the widespread impact climate change can have on our health, our environment and our economy.

As public health professionals, we are particularly concerned about the health impacts of the changing climate, including increased illness and death from extreme heat and weather events, and increased incidence of vector-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. These increases will add to an already over-burdened health care system. In addition, damage to public infrastructure, homes, other buildings and properties, and natural resources has had huge economic cost to individuals and businesses in our communities, as well as all levels of government.

We are troubled about the cancellation of the Cap and Trade Program and the present government’s lack of clear commitment to taking action on climate change. Cap and Trade raised $2.9 billion in Ontario, with $1.9 billion directed towards programs that aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – programs related to public transit, energy efficiency, renewable energy projects, energy retrofits at hospitals, social housing and schools, and active transportation infrastructure. William Nordhaus, who was just awarded a Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on the economic impact of climate change, has been a long-time advocate for a carbon tax. His models have been widely used for developing environmental policy and take into consideration the social cost of carbon when examining the cost-benefits of carbon pricing.

The benefits of reducing GHG emissions reach beyond health and the environment. According to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, improving energy efficiency in Ontario could mean a net increase of 52,800 jobs/year and $12.5 billion/year in Gross Domestic Product.

To protect the health of Ontarians and our environment, and to promote a strong economy, we strongly urge the province to take immediate action on climate change through the following:
- Engage multiple ministries (e.g. Environment, Conservation and Parks; Transportation; Municipal Affairs and Housing; Health and Long-Term Care; Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Energy, Northern Development and Mines; Infrastructure; Indigenous Affairs) to develop a strong climate change policy with clear actions to both mitigate and adapt to climate change, that considers the current and long-term impacts of action on our health, environment and economy
- Establish aggressive GHG reduction targets that position Ontario as a leader in both combating climate change and advancing innovation that will lead us into a sustainable and prosperous future
- Regulate, incentivize, and encourage GHG emission reductions by ensuring that polluters pay
- Utilize funds generated through carbon pricing to support innovative sustainable technologies, strategies and programs and to ensure that those most vulnerable, including low-income Ontarians, benefit through tax breaks, rebates or other mechanisms
- Report annually on the progress of the government’s climate change policy, in terms of GHG emission reductions relative to targets established, measures, actions and programs to adapt to climate change, and supports provided to vulnerable Ontarians

Climate change is one of the greatest public health challenges of this century. Taking action to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate requires concerted and committed action from us all – individuals, communities and all levels of government, and can result in multiple co-benefits to our health, environment and economy. Strong provincial climate change policy and programs will ensure that all Ontarians are prepared for climate change today and in the future.

i “Global Warming of 1.5°”, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. October 2018. http://ipcc.ch/report/sr15/