(Queen’s Park): GPO leader Mike Schreiner is calling on the Liberal government to take immediate action to meet Ontario’s 2020 climate obligations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. 
 
“The hot air on climate at Queen’s Park is putting our future at risk,” says Schreiner. “The Liberal government is failing to meet Ontario’s climate commitments. We need more action and less talk on climate solutions.”
 
Ontario is not on track to meet its 2020 GHG pollution reduction targets according to acting Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Ellen Schwartzel. The ECO released its annual review of the government’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions for 2015: Feeling the Heat. 
 
“This report is like Groundhog Day. We’ve now have had two Environmental Commissioners warn us that the government is failing to meet Ontario’s 2020 GHG pollution targets,” says Schreiner. 
 
According to the ECO, increases in GHG pollution in transportation and buildings are the biggest challenge. Delaying action will increase costs, warns the ECO. 
 
“There are a number of actions the government can take to help people save money by saving energy and reducing GHG pollution” says Schreiner. 
 
The Green Party is calling on the Liberals to take immediate steps to electrify the transportation system with steps such as high-speed electric charging stations along 400 series highways and lower overnight prices for electricity. The GPO is also calling for a new Home Energy Savings Program to help households reduce energy use and costs by retrofitting their homes, which the Liberals cut. 
 
“We can’t negotiate with mother nature,” says Schreiner. “We are already experiencing climate disruptions that negatively affect our economy and quality of life.”
 
The GPO will continue to push the government to quickly implement an effective and fair carbon pollution pricing system with broad coverage. And to push for a climate strategy that is carbon neutral by 2050. 
 
The GPO is on a mission to bring honesty, integrity and good public policy to Queen’s Park.