Liberals fail to present credible plan to tackle climate change, says Huron-Bruce MPP

The Ontario Liberal government has failed to present a credible plan that will effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting taxpayers and the economy, says Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Progressive Conservative (PC) environment and cap-and-trade critic.

 

"Instead premier Kathleen Wynne wants to introduce a new tax on gasoline and home-heating to raise $1.9-billion in new revenue as a way to pay for years of government waste, and a long list of pet-projects out of the Liberals' new cap-and-trade slush fund," Thompson says. "And you don't just have to take my word for it. Former Liberal finance minister Greg Sorbara has clearly stated that the premier's cap-and-trade scheme is a new tax to raise money for the government."

 

On the agenda last week, Sorbara took his former government colleagues to task when he said, "Although the [finance] minister said there are no tax increases, the fact is that there's a $1.9-billion increase."

 

Sorbara also admitted that "there's no evidence, anywhere in the world, that [cap-and-trade] actually does work to significantly reduce carbon emissions." He concluded his comments by saying he will remain "skeptical about the whole scheme" until he sees evidence cap-and-trade can actually be effective.

 

"The Liberals' cap-and-trade scheme is a cash-grab in the name of the environment - plain and simple," Thompson says. "Ontarians expect their government to tackle climate change and effectively reduce emissions in a way that keeps heating and fuel costs affordable for families and businesses."