Doug Ford fiddles as the planet’s climate burns

No matter how you look at it, no matter how you try to explain it, Doug Ford’s foolhardy vow to kill Ontario’s carbon cap-and-trade program is bad news for everyone.

It will be financially toxic for the provincial government and taxpayers alike.

It will spark a legal war between Queen’s Park and Ottawa that damages national unity.

Worst of all, it will be a cruel blow to the planet’s environment, ending one useful initiative in the international battle against climate change, while offering nothing of substance in its place.

You’d think Ontario’s premier-designate would know better. You’d think he’d be aware of the overwhelming body of scientific evidence that shows human activity is altering the Earth’s climate in ways that are threatening life — human life included — on this planet, and that reversing this trend is the most important task facing humanity.

But there he was, just days ago, proudly proclaiming his very first act after becoming premier on June 29 will be to kill the province’s carbon market and then to challenge the federal government’s carbon pricing rules.

There he was fiddling — while the Earth’s climate burns.

If only Ford would reconsider. Ontario’s cap-andtrade system aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions by capping the amounts of carbon companies in certain industries can release. If they exceed those limits, they buy allowances at auctions or from companies that are under the limit.

Ford insists cap-and-trade makes families poorer while doing nothing good for the environment. He’s wrong on both counts.

Yes, the program raised gas prices for motorists by about 4.3 cents a litre and natural gas prices by about five dollars a month for typical households. But couldn’t most Ontarians easily afford that, given what’s at stake? Won’t inaction cost us more as we cope with climatechange fuelled catastrophes?

Not only does cap-and-trade give companies a persuasive financial incentive to cut their emissions over time, the proceeds from it fund worthwhile strategies for fighting climate change, such as public transit and home renovations.

Already Ford has axed one of those programs, which provided rebates for energy-efficient renovations. That was a win-win proposition, because it helped individuals and businesses save money, while they cut their greenhouse gas emissions. When it’s gone, those benefits will go, too.

But Ford’s haste will lead to other waste. Companies have already paid close to $3 billion at auction as part of cap-and-trade since the program began in January 2017.

Will Ford refund all or some of that money and, if so, where will he get the cash? Will he fritter away taxpayers’ dollars fighting lawsuits from companies that participated in the recent carbon auctions that included Quebec and California as well as Ontario?

Meanwhile, as he struggles to cut taxes, save money and eventually balance the province’s budget, how will he make up for the more than $1 billion a year cap-andtrade was pumping into the Ontario treasury?

Those aren’t the only problems with Ford’s cap-andtrade cop-out. The federal government intends to impose a carbon tax of its own on any province without a carbon-pricing plan. Most legal experts agree Ottawa has the right to do this, but Ford has set aside $30 million to fight the Liberals in court. More haste. More waste.

In the recent provincial election, Ford’s platform promised action for voters whose “top priority is … fighting climate change.”

Sadly, far from offering anything constructive, his actions to date are entirely destructive.