Environment Minister Rod Phillips says plan will keep Ontario on track to meet federal targets
Environment Minister Rod Phillips, seen here with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, is defending the province’s climate plan in the face of mounting criticism by environmentalists. (Cole Burston/Canadian Press)
The Progressive Conservative government is defending its plan for the environment despite mounting criticism it’s not aggressive enough to make a difference in the fight against climate change.
“This government is being reckless with our future,” Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said.
Schreiner is critical of just about everything Doug Ford’s government has done with related files since taking power, many of which appeared in the budget:
- Cancelling cap-and-trade, which capped greenhouse gas emissions while allowing polluters to buy and trade exemptions.
- Fighting the federal carbon tax in court, through a gas pump sticker campaign and advertisements.
- Eliminating the office of the environmental commissioner of Ontario, which is now under the purview of the auditor general.
- Reducing funding to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, including emergency forest firefighting.
- Reducing funding to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
- Cutting flood management funding to conservation authorities.
- Making changes to the Endangered Species Act.
“They’ve been one of the most anti-environmental provincial governments we’ve had in generations,” said Schreiner. MORE
County Sustainability Group 