Ontario’s environmental commissioner slams Ford government over ‘gutted’ climate change policies, Sept. 25

Premier Doug Ford is in the process of single-handedly destroying everything Ontario has been working towards for the past several years with regard to climate change.

It is despicable and grotesque that all the work that has been done in our society to protect the environment and Ontarians is being dismantled.

Everyone around me is concerned about the future of this province and this is not helping.

Our government should be focusing on how to implement more policies that will allow the environment and economy to benefit in the long run, instead of dismantling the progress that has been made thus far.

It seems that instead of representing the people of this province, Doug Ford is acting in his own selfish interests.

We need a premier who is willing to devote the time and attention to climate change in order to save and protect the environment.

By changing these policies, in addition to introducing legislation to get rid of the Green Energy Act about a week ago, he is clearly doing the opposite.

If we keep going down this path, I fear the environment will suffer tremendously and as a result Ontarians will suffer as well.

Mohit Sekhon, Maple

The Ford government says it has a climate change plan it will reveal later this year that will strike a balance between economic and environmental gain. So far, they have stuck to this promise by simultaneously damaging the economy as well as the environment.

Companies have already invested $3 billion in carbon credits for the next year and with the program cancelled, the government will either need to pay this money back or invest in an expensive court battle, both of which the taxpayers would pay for. This is in addition to the $30 million in legal expenses needed to oppose the federal government’s carbon tax.

Environmental issues have never been a notable part of Doug Ford’s platform apart from vague statements claiming to address climate change while saving taxpayers money.

What is this genius plan and when will it take effect? That seems to be a problem for a different day. Meanwhile, the focus is tearing down the efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Parnian Safaraifard, Thornhill

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