Ontario Releases Climate Change Strategy Discussion Paper

Province Engaging Public, Businesses and Communities on Climate Change Strategy

News release for Ontario government

Ontario has released a climate change discussion paper and invites citizens, businesses and communities to share ideas about how to successfully fight climate change while fostering economic growth and keeping our businesses competitive.

The government will engage aboriginal communities and hold province wide consultations with citizens, community organizations, industry stakeholders, municipal representatives and businesses, and will publically post the discussion paper for comment on the Environmental Registry for 45 days. The discussion paper:

• Identifies the climate change challenge, the risks and threats it poses to Ontario’s environment, economy and way of life.
• Suggests actions that encourage individuals, businesses, government and communities to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Asks important questions to help inform a comprehensive climate change strategy and action plan, to be released later this year.

Engaging the public in a conversation about climate change builds on Ontario’s recent achievements including closing coal plants, curbing the use of cosmetic pesticides and protecting 1.8 million acres of land. These initiatives have resulted in fewer smog days and cleaner water.

Fighting climate change and supporting Ontario’s clean technology sector are part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.

QUICK FACTS

• Information about public sessions, including dates, cities and towns and venues, is available online at www.ontario.ca/climatechange. AWARE Simcoe note: Closest sessions for Simcoe County residents are in Toronto at the Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street, on February 24 and 25, 6-8 pm. 
• The site also has a quick guide to the discussion paper and several options to provide ideas and comments.
• Ontario has the fastest growing clean-tech sector in Canada, with 2,700 clean-tech firms employing 65,000 people and generating annual revenues of more than $8 billion.
• Ontario’s actions to close coal fired electricity plants, curb the use of cosmetic pesticides and protect 1.8 million acres of land have resulted in fewer smog days and cleaner water.
• Ending coal-fired power is the single largest greenhouse gas reduction initiative in North America, equivalent to taking seven million cars off the road.
• Ontario will host a Climate Summit of the Americas from July 7-9, 2015, to advance collaborative action on climate change ahead of the Conference of the Parties in Paris in December.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• Support for Ontario’s Leadership on Climate Change

QUOTES

“Climate change is already costing Ontarians by threatening our communities, businesses and way of life. While Ontario is showing leadership in fighting climate change, we know we need to do more and we need to act fast. Over the next few months, we will be asking citizens about their thoughts on how to fight climate change, foster economic growth and help secure a better future for this province for generations to come.”
– Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

“We welcome Ontario’s approach of inclusive consultation on climate change policy and as a recognized North American leader in energy and GHG reduction and efficiency, GM Canada looks forward to active participation in this process.”
– David Paterson, Vice President Corporate and Environmental Affairs, General Motors Canada

“It’s refreshing to see Ontario addressing climate change so directly. It’s clear that the government recognizes not only the imperative of taking action on climate change, but that doing so will make us better off. This paper is a great starting point for a critical conversation about our province’s future.”
– Tim Gray, Executive Director, Environmental Defence