As you’ve heard by now, Ontario will head to the polls on February 27. This blog is part of our series outlining what we see as some of the key environmental issues voters should keep in mind as they talk to candidates and when they cast their ballots.
Ontario is Going the Wrong Way on Climate Action
In recent years, Ontario has had an abysmal record on climate change. The province has cancelled hundreds of renewable power projects, depriving us from affordable and reliable energy. Meanwhile, Ontario has been increasing our reliance on fossil fuels by building new gas plants, which is reversing the progress this province made in phasing out coal. A decision from the independent Ontario Energy Board was overturned at the request of Enbridge, a gas company, in order to ensure that more homes are dependent on gas for heating for decades to come. This move benefits Enbridge at the expense of everyone else, whether they are existing gas customers or new home buyers.
The federal government gets a lot of attention when it comes to climate change—and for good reason. But, there are a lot of areas related to climate change that are in provincial hands.
What to Look for in a Future Ontario Government
We need to elect a government that takes climate change seriously. Here’s what to look for.
A party that is serious about climate change needs to present a clear plan to ensure that Ontario does its part to reduce emissions. The plan should:
- Detail how it will decarbonize the electricity system, phasing out gas plants while building more wind and solar. Wind and solar are not only greener, they are also cheaper energy sources than gas and nuclear.
- Detail how it will help get Ontarians’ homes off of gas and give people the opportunity to get highly efficient heat pumps that reduce heating and cooling bills.
- Ensure that Ontarians can buy the electric cars that we’ll soon be making here by improving the affordability of EVs (with a rebate) and introducing a ZEV standard, like those in BC and Quebec.
- Support affordable, reliable public transportation options and safe commutes for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Address industrial carbon emissions though a cap-and-trade program or other mechanism to ensure that big polluters are held responsible for their emissions.
- Create energy-efficiency programs for the industrial, commercial and residential sectors.
A Greener Ontario is Within Reach
Our previous provincial leaders have turned their backs on climate change and bent over backwards to pander to fossil fuel interests. Ontario has built new gas plants, expanded the gas pipeline network to force gas onto new communities and provided special treatment to Enbridge to ensure more homes are hooked on gas. This will saddle Ontarians with higher electricity bills, increased health risks and greater damages from extreme weather events caused by climate change.
We need better. We need to tell all party leaders and candidates to protect Ontario’s clean energy future!
