Government of Ontario Set to Release New Climate Change Plan This Fall

Published on October 10, 2018

This fall, the Provincial Government of Ontario is looking to release a new climate change plan that will put the weight of responsibility onto polluters, instead of onto citizens of Ontario. Speaking at the Ontario Energy Association’s annual conference in Toronto, Ontario Environment Minister Rod Phillips has said that the new plan will be focused on solutions to climate change, with a balance between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. Phillips has also said that the public will be consulted on a ‘specific area of focus’ before the plan is finalized, and will include an emissions reduction fund - which as of yet still has the inner workings and focus to be fully determined.

Recently, the provincial government has approved the end of the province’s cap-and-trade program, which is also set to withdraw the province from an arrangement with Québec and California that had established a joint carbon market within which pollution credits could be bought and sold. The Provincial Government of Ontario estimates that it in 2019 it will save more than $1.9 billion from the elimination of cap-and-trade, and Phillips believes that this will support the creation of thousands of new jobs.

As both the Federal and Provincial Government work out their policies regarding climate change and green energy initiatives, along with the numerous currently available rebates for home renovation, our team at BSG believes that this is an important time to consider your own home’s energy efficiency, and to work towards your own green energy initiatives; netting you a lower utility bill and increased comfort at home.