OTTAWA – In response to the Ontario Court of Appeal’s ruling that the Federal government’s Green House Gas Pollution Pricing Act is constitutional, Nathalie Des Rosiers, MPP for Ottawa – Vanier, released the following statement:
“Since last June, Premier Doug Ford has taken Ontario backwards on climate change, and has wasted Ontarians money to fight the federal government on behalf of Andrew Scheer.
The ruling today confirms that this constitutional challenge was a waste of money. It is not acceptable to say that Ontario has done its part on climate change, as is suggested by the Conservative’s weak environment plan. International evidence tells us that putting a price on pollution is essential to limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
Responsible leadership is building an economy that will provide for generations to come. A green economy has a price on carbon and invests in green infrastructure, public transit, and helping Ontarians do their part. It is not about cutting electric vehicle charging stations and gutting environmental protections.
I hope that the new Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will take this decision as a signal to change course on the environment. Instead of burying their heads in the sand by focusing on sticker gimmicks, Ford’s Conservatives need to listen to experts and advocates, put a price on pollution and ensure Ontario is on the right side of history.”