Huron-Bruce MPP calls Cap-and-Trade a cash grab forcing Ontarians to make sacrifices

Ontario's proposed Cap-and-Trade program will be a tax on everything and is a cash grab by the Liberal government, forcing families to make sacrifices, says Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Progressive Conservative (PC) critic for the environment and climate change.

Under the Cap-and-Trade system, announced Monday, businesses would have a greenhouse gas quota and be able to sell credits to reward efficiency and innovation. Companies that want to burn more fossil fuels could buy carbon credits from those that burn less than they are allowed. Money raised through the system would be reinvested in green technology and green infrastructure.
 

"The Liberals are feeding their spending addiction from the pocketbooks of hard-working Ontarians," says Thompson. "What will be the true cost to Ontario families and what will they have to sacrifice next?"

 

PC House Leader Steve Clark says this policy has even been called a tax by Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne. "Yesterday (April 13), the premier said 'Call it carbon pricing, cap-and-trade, a market mechanism ... if you must, go ahead and call it a tax' ... I am glad we agree on something."

Clark adds that Brad Duguid, minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure, said the tax will take money out of companies' hands and put it in government coffers.  

 

"This will mean fewer jobs," say Clark, "That will be the legacy of your carbon tax. How many jobs will be lost?"
 

Thompson says there are other options that should be looked at, and she and her colleagues cannot support another irresponsible tax.