From forest fires in the North to flooding in the Southwest, Ontario experienced a tumultuous year of extreme weather events. It might be the wake-up call that the province so desperately needs to become more proactive on climate change.
Climate scientists are pointing their obligatory fingers at us, shaking their heads in silent I told you so nods. Even if there is a casual link between weather events and climate change, it’s about time that Ontario does something about it.
The previous liberal governments tried to tackle climate by introducing legislation that would reduce greenhouse emissions with the Cap-and Trade Act, as well as the Green Energy Act. It was clear that Ontario, while it had a long way to go, was on the right path.
Doug Ford repeals Green Energy Act:
Then came Doug Ford and his first item was to repeal the cap-and-trade legislation. The government then followed up with plans to get rid of the Green Energy Act. Critics argued that the Green Energy Act was a weak attempt at trying to grow an industrial renewable energy sector in an uninterested and perhaps premature Ontario. But the repeal might also be motivated by the quest for more regional autonomy, particular in rural Ontario where most renewable projects are located.
The idea isn’t necessarily to create a stronger energy market, and may as well be lauded for the precedent it will inevitably set for municipal autonomy. Changes limit the provinces interference in municipal powers to enact bylaws. It also ensures that land use plans are not decided without the municipality’s say.
The trouble is that the Ford government hasn’t released ideas on how they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It might be problematic because t almost undermines targets without consequences.
What happens next?
Without the cap-and-trade, there doesn’t seem like a clear path ahead in terms of emission reductions. The previous liberal government was able to cut down emissions, which are now being scrapped by the Conservatives. Canada has made important international commitments to reduce their emissions, and it’s about time that Ontario does its part – and it was, until The Cap-and-Trade Cancellation Act (Bill 4).
Since the Ford government was sworn in on June 29th, they have undone several measures put in by the previous liberal government to reduce greenhouse emissions. It’s also come at a price for many First Nation’s communities who had a role in eight out of ten of the green energy projects that were cancelled by Ford.