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Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, made the following statement regarding Earth Day and the failure to address climate change:
“I had the privilege to work with community groups over the weekend to celebrate Earth Day by planting trees and cleaning trails. Ontarians understand how essential a clean environment is to our health, quality of life and economy. People understand the need to protect our environment today and to leave a strong legacy for our kids and their kids.
Unfortunately, the government is missing in action on climate change, one of the biggest threats to our environment and our economy.
The National Roundtable estimates climate change will cost our economy $5 billion by 2020 and up to $43 billion by 2050. The cost to Ontario’s forestry industry alone could hit $7.4 billion. We are already experiencing the devastating effects of extreme weather events.
In fact, all the old parties at Queen’s Park have missed the boat by refusing to consider the most efficient and cost effective approach to reducing GHGs – a simple, straight forward price on pollution.
British Columbia, Alberta, and Québec have put a price on pollution. The right incentives foster innovation, job creation and economic progress in the low-carbon economy.
We are fortunate to live in a province with a rich natural heritage: vast forests, prime farmland and thousands of lakes and rivers. Climate change threatens our natural wealth and quality of life.
The time for change is now. Let’s make every day Earth Day.”