Premier should fast-track climate-friendly projects

July 6, 2020

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released this statement after the Premier announced a new bill to fast-track the construction of highways, transit, and housing:

“Ontario needs a vision for a green and caring recovery.

We cannot afford to squander this opportunity to tackle the climate crisis by making smart infrastructure investments that will lower climate pollution and create good green jobs.

I am worried the Premier is going to push a pollution-heavy plan of highways and sprawl, instead of fast-tracking the climate-friendly projects that Ontario needs.

Improving our highways cannot happen without a network of charging stations so that drivers can confidently switch to electric vehicles.

Energy-saving retrofits must be a part of any plan for housing so that people can lower their bills and their emissions.

Infrastructure projects should increase capacity for healthcare, while also helping our communities become more resilient to the floods, storms, and fires that are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

I urge the Premier to use the COVID recovery to turn the page on his anti-climate agenda.”

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