Courts strike down Premier’s violation of environmental rights

October 11, 2019

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement after an Ontario court found the Ford government broke the law when it scrapped cap-and-trade:

“For a second day in a row, the government’s abysmal environmental record has been exposed. 

Today we learn that Ford broke the law when he unilaterally killed the old climate plan, after learning yesterday that his maid-to-fail replacement plan has not launched. 

The Premier believed that his election victory exempted him from following the law. 

I am glad the courts reminded Ford that in a democracy, you don’t get to rule by decree. 

The public has the right, enshrined in law, to be consulted on changes that will affect the air we breathe and the water we drink.

But this government prefers to dismantle environmental protections behind closed doors. 

The erosion of environmental rights is one of the most worrisome trends of this government. 

By firing the independent environment commissioner and transferring many of her powers to the Ministry, the Ford government has put the fox in charge of the hen house, creating the conditions where it can continue to act with negligence.”

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