Protect the Great Lakes

February 25, 2021

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding Line 5:

“No one wants to have 53% of Ontario’s oil shipments shut down in 2 months.

But instead of dismissing the Michigan Governor’s concerns, Premier Ford should be working with Michigan on a plan to protect the Great Lakes and committing to an aggressive plan for a just transition off being dependent on fossil fuels.

Ontario is well positioned to create new careers and better jobs with made in Ontario energy solutions using biofuels, renewables and green hydrogen.

Extending the lifeline of the aging Line 5 pipeline that is 15 years past its best before date without a safety plan is a risky decision that puts our environment and economy at risk.

The Great Lakes provide drinking water to over 35 million people.

And support more than 1.3 million jobs that generate $82 billion in wages annually.

This is a wake-up call that the Premier can’t ignore.

Instead of moving to where the puck is going, which is away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy, Ford wants to double down on 65 year old ideas.

We need to move away from risky fossil fuel investments that put our environment and economy at risk. And embrace the $26 trillion global clean economy.

Because climate action is job action.”

-30-