Wednesday May 18, 2016

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
Share
0 Shares

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday May 18, 2016 Ontario government not denying report on sweeping climate change plan Ontario's Liberal government is not denying a published report that its long-awaited action plan on climate change aims to phase out the use of natural gas in both home heating and the electricity system. Premier Kathleen Wynne and Environment Minister Glen Murray have been working for months on an action plan to reduce carbon emissions through a mix of incentives to choose green options and new regulations to shift people away from using fossil fuels. At Queen's Park, the opposition blasted the plans, saying they don't make sense and will harm Ontario homeowners. The Globe and Mail says it has obtained a confidential cabinet document that lays out the plan in detail. Among the key measures cited in the Globe report are: * All new homes built after 2030 must be heated without using fossil fuels, such as natural gas.Ê Ê * A target of 1.7 million electric or hybrid cars on the road by 2024 * Mandating a five per cent cut in carbon emissions from gasoline and diesel The measures would be funded using the revenues from a looming cap and trade systemÊfor carbon emissions, which is expected to net the government some $1.9 billion annually Cabinet ministers refused to deny any specifics in the report. "Over the next couple of weeks you'll see the entire action plan," Murray told reporters at the Legislature on Monday. "When that plan is out we'll have lots of time to talk about it.Ó "This government is committed to taking strong action when it comes to climate change," said Deputy Premier Deb Matthews in question period, taking Wynne's place during her trade mission to Israel. "We feel the responsibility to the planet, to our kids, to our grandkids." The report says the Liberals plan to spend $7 billion of cap and trade revenues from 2017 to 2021 to push the transition to a lower-carbon life. More than half of

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 18, 2016

Ontario government not denying report on sweeping climate change plan

Ontario’s Liberal government is not denying a published report that its long-awaited action plan on climate change aims to phase out the use of natural gas in both home heating and the electricity system.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday April 23, 2016 Justin Trudeau signs Paris climate treaty at UN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the Paris agreement on climate change during a ceremony at the United Nations in New York City this morning, giving his word that Canada will harness the power of renewable energy as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "Today, with my signature, I give you our word that Canada's efforts will not cease,"ÊTrudeauÊsaid Friday. "Climate change will test our intelligence, our compassion and our will. But we are equal to that challenge.Ó TheÊCanadianÊgovernment has committed to reducingÊgreenhouse gas emissions byÊ30 per centÊfrom 2005 levelsÊby 2030ÊÑ a goal set by the previous Conservative government. Ê The Trudeau government has saidÊthis objectiveÊis a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for what can be accomplished.Ê During his opening remarksÊat the UN ceremony on Friday, Trudeau saidÊthe Paris agreement will be tabled in Parliament next month and will be formally ratified later this year. The Liberal leader saidÊthe business case for investing in cleanÊenergy was clear, with nearly a third of a trillion dollars invested in renewable powerÊglobally last year. "That's a trend that will continue to grow, and it's one that represents a tremendous opportunity for Canada.ÊOne that we cannot ÑÊand will not ÑÊignore,"ÊTrudeauÊsaid to rousing applause from the UN assembly. Trudeau drew further applause from the crowd when he defendedÊdeveloping countries who are facing extraordinary challenges. "They shouldn't be punished for a problem they didn't create, nor should they be deprived of opportunities for clean growth that developed nations are now pursuing." TrudeauÊtold the UN that the Liberal government hasÊcommitted to investingÊ$2.65 billion over the next five yearsÊto help developing countries fight climate change. "We're not making theseÊinvestments simply to be nice,Êalthough I know Can

Words, action pending – April 23, 2016

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Environment Minister Glen Murray have been working for months on an action plan to reduce carbon emissions through a mix of incentives to choose green options and new regulations to shift people away from using fossil fuels.

At Queen’s Park, the opposition blasted the plans, saying they don’t make sense and will harm Ontario homeowners.

The Globe and Mail says it has obtained a confidential cabinet document that lays out the plan in detail. Among the key measures cited in the Globe report are:

  • All new homes built after 2030 must be heated without using fossil fuels, such as natural gas.
  • A target of 1.7 million electric or hybrid cars on the road by 2024
  • Mandating a five per cent cut in carbon emissions from gasoline and diesel

The measures would be funded using the revenues from a looming cap and trade system for carbon emissions, which is expected to net the government some $1.9 billion annually Cabinet ministers refused to deny any specifics in the report.

April 19, 2016

April 19, 2016

“Over the next couple of weeks you’ll see the entire action plan,” Murray told reporters at the Legislature on Monday. “When that plan is out we’ll have lots of time to talk about it.”

“This government is committed to taking strong action when it comes to climate change,” said Deputy Premier Deb Matthews in question period, taking Wynne’s place during her trade mission to Israel. “We feel the responsibility to the planet, to our kids, to our grandkids.”

The report says the Liberals plan to spend $7 billion of cap and trade revenues from 2017 to 2021 to push the transition to a lower-carbon life. More than half of that money would go to grants and rebates for retrofitting buildings and to move them from natural-gas heating to such sources as geothermal and electric heat.(Source: CBC News)