Clean energy is the future – but Doug Ford is dragging his feet

June 28, 2023

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to a new report showing that communities reliant on the oil and gas sector are at risk of economic harm as Canada continues to over-invest in fossil fuel production.

“For years, we have seen report after report showing that clean energy is where investment dollars are flowing and better jobs are available.

For the first time last year, the world invested as much money into the clean energy transition as it spent producing oil, gas and coal.

Now, a new report from the International Institute for Sustainable Development shows that Canada is unprepared for the clean energy transition as global demand for oil and gas declines – putting people, communities and our economy at risk.

It’s clear that we need a bold plan to embrace prosperity in the clean energy economy. But right now, Ontario is headed in the wrong direction.

While other provinces and countries move full-speed ahead toward renewable energy, Doug Ford is busy dirtying Ontario’s electricity grid – signing new contracts for expensive fossil gas plants that are incompatible with a net-zero future.

Ford’s hostility toward renewables – and support for big oil and gas – is not the path to a prosperous future. Especially when we have mountains of evidence proving that renewables are cleaner, safer and cheaper than fossil fuels.

Ontarians deserve to know: What is this government’s plan to support people and communities in the transition to clean energy? Where is the rationale for its continuing refusal to invest in renewables?

Ontario Greens know that our province is ready to be a leader in the trillion-dollar new climate economy.

We’ll keep holding the Ford government to account by pushing for low-cost renewable projects that set our province up for success.”

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