A new coalition that includes more than 125 organizations from Ontario is attempting to make the environment a key issue during the upcoming provincial elections. The focus will be on binding climate goals, lowering emissions in our economy, and ending our use of fossil-fuels.
Members of the Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign announced Wednesday the 12-point climate action plan at a news conference. The group hopes to stimulate discussion and action from voters and parties ahead of June 2nd’s election.
Deena Ladd, executive director at the Workers’ Activity Centre, stated that communities across the province should elect a government committed to reducing emissions.
“It will take an united movement to build confidence in elected representatives to stand up against the big business profiting from the status-quo, and not use empty words or dismiss all’s concerns,” she stated.
“The people of this province are paying attention and this is a time to take action like never before.”
The group’s call for actions includes:
- Set binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of 30% by 2025, and at increasing intervals thereafter.
- Reducing fossil fuel consumption
- Pushing for a zero emission economy and accelerating transition to zero emissions buildings and transportation.
- Reinstatement of an independent office for the Ontario environmental commissioner, which was merged into the office of Ontario’s auditor general (2018-2018).
You can Read the entire plan and view the signees list here.
A push for renewed oversight
Gord Miller, a former provincial environment commissioner, stated to CBC News that he believes it is important to reintroduce an independent, dedicated commissioner’s office. This office notifies people of environmentally sensitive decisions and allows them to participate in decision making.
“[The commissioner]He said he could speak directly with the members of parliament, the opposition members, and the government members. This would allow him to bypass any filters that the government was trying to put on the message about what was happening in the environment.”
Miller stated that even though campaigning hasn’t officially begun, he believes environmental issues have been pushed to the side by issues like transportation, housing affordability, and economic growth. He said they shouldn’t be dismissed, but that there are many other issues that need to be discussed.
Some parties supported the OCEC’s campaign while others reacted with support. Peter Tabuns, Toronto-Danforth NDP MP, said that he was pleased with the announcement and that it aligns well with his party. Climate plan of the NDP.
He said, “We do require that action, but having them call it public increases the pressure on all of society for us to move.”
“I believe it’s one of the core issues Ontario will have to deal with.”
Parties offer plans
Nav Dhaliwal of the Green Party of Ontario spokeswoman, and said that almost everything required in the pledge is also part of this pledge. Green climate plan.
“The climate crisis represents one of the most serious crises that are looming right now. Dhaliwals stated in an email that we must act quickly with a response which produces real results. “The old-line parties offer only half measures or no measures. That’s not good enough.
Phillip Robinson, the press secretary for PC Environment MinisterDavid Picini, didn’t address the OCEC campaign when asked. However, he stated in an email that the provincial’s environmental approach recognizes the “circumstances faced by job creators”and is “not harmful towards Ontario’s economic growth.”
“Our The government’s plan is workingHe stated that the province is on track in meeting its 2030 greenhouse emission target thanks to recent major investments made in steel, automotive and industrial electrification.
Liberal Leader Steven Del Ducasaid said that the OCEC made “thoughtful recommendations” on combating the climate crisis and that the party would release its own environmental plan within the next few days.
“It is a plan that I am incredibly proud and I believe Ontarians agree it’s best for our future,” he stated.
