Legislating emissions targets is a strong step forward

TORONTO — Eli Angen, Ontario director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to Ontario’s climate change legislation introduced today:

"We are pleased to see Ontario introduce new climate change legislation today to ensure the province moves forward on its climate action agenda. By legislating emissions reductions targets and establishing a cap-and-trade system, Ontario is providing greater confidence that we will achieve those targets.

“Requiring annual reporting of the funds will help Ontarians hold the government accountable on the effective use of the cap-and-trade program revenue. We encourage the government to pay particular attention to the transportation sector, the largest source of emissions in Ontario, with this reinvestment. We believe this will help address the additional household burden of increasing fuel costs associated with this program.

“In order for Canada to meet its national and international climate goals, all jurisdictions must introduce increasingly stringent climate policies with time. We look forward to Ontario and other provinces playing a leadership role on this issue at the first ministers' meeting in Vancouver next week."

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