For Immediate Release:
April 21, 2011
Queens Park – Opposition Environment Critic Toby Barrett reminded government that words only go so far to address the environmental concerns that come into focus every April 22nd.
“I’d like to first commend all who ensure that initiatives such as Earth Day are more than merely a feel-good public relations or media exercise—referring to those who roll up their sleeves and lend a hand, these are the people who really get it, ” Barrett began in the Legislature. “On that note, a few days ago I and my staff joined the Toronto-Dominion Bank’s Simcoe branch in cleaning up Wellington Park in the town of Simcoe.”
Barrett continued to address the McGuinty record on the environment, highlighting the Premier’s tree-planting commitment.
“A question: Where are the 50 million trees Mr. McGuinty promised to plant? You’ve got about another 42 million to plant this spring. Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller called for a billion trees,” noted Barrett. “The St. Williams tree nursery in my riding, since its inception, has put out a billion trees alone – that’s just one tree nursery.”
The Haldimand-Norfolk MPP went on to point out that for all the government’s bluster and headlines that ensue every time new environmental legislation is trotted out, results have been seriously lacking.
“The truth is, eight successive environmental bills—it smothers economic activity, it’s costly, and for all the cost, we see results that are lacklustre at best,” Barrett charged. “A government that promised 60% waste diversion by 2008, originally by 2005. You failed. You divert something like 22%, and that’s three years after your most recent target date.”
“Last Earth Day you promised new legislation, a waste diversion act. You promised that within four or five weeks; on Friday, it will be one year. Where’s this legislation?”
“What about air? Constantly, we see environment minister after environment minister courting the media, talking tough on climate change despite pushing an ill-conceived cap-and-trade approach,” indicated Barrett. “Last week it was reported, ‘Ontario also signalled on Tuesday that it would not meet the January 1 western climate initiative “start-up date….”
“The same old story with the people across the way: It’s talk, little substance. The minister opposite can’t open his mouth without uttering the phrase ‘dirty coal.’ Last year, coal-generated electricity went up 29% over 2009. As they say, BS baffles brains.”
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629
Mr. Toby Barrett: As environment critic for the official opposition, we welcome the opportunity to recognize Earth Week and Earth Day, as I did yesterday as well. Before I continue on the woeful record of this government, I’d like to first commend all who ensure that initiatives such as Earth Day are more than merely a feel-good public relations or media exercise—referring to those who roll up their sleeves and lend a hand. They provide action by planting trees, in addition to some well-intentioned words. These are the people who really get it.
On that note, a few days ago I and my staff joined the Toronto-Dominion Bank’s Simcoe branch in cleaning up Wellington Park in the town of Simcoe.
A question: Where are the 50 million trees Mr. McGuinty promised to plant? You’ve got about another 42 million to plant this spring. Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller called for a billion trees. The St. Williams tree nursery in my riding, since its inception, has put out a billion trees alone. That’s just one tree nursery.
Over eight years this government has delivered eight pieces of environmental legislation, along with the associated costs with which business and industry are struggling to comply. There’s a cumulative effect: It piles costs on top of costs, paperwork on top of paperwork—considerable red tape to suffocate those in business. I think of the duplication of the Toxics Reduction Act, the duplication of the aforementioned Pesticides Act, the draconian spills bill legislation—all stick, no carrot. Governments utilized each of these opportunities to grab the media.
The truth is, eight successive environmental bills—it smothers economic activity, it’s costly, and for all the cost, we see results that are lacklustre at best. For example, waste management, waste diversion: An issue prompted Mr. McGuinty’s first attempt, with the Adams Mine Lake Act. I’ve yet to see that lake on a map anywhere. But there is evidence over eight years—certainly in the past year—that this government has lost control of that issue, a government that promised 60% waste diversion by 2008, originally by 2005. You failed. You divert something like 22%, and that’s three years after your most recent target date.
Ontario Electronic Stewardship: You failed again. Taxpayers paid the full fare. The program has collected 2% of its promise.
Last Earth Day you promised new legislation, a waste diversion act. You promised that within four or five weeks; on Friday, it will be one year. Where’s this legislation?
Of course, the eco fiasco: too costly, too unwieldy, underhanded; the irreparable damage to concepts you just talked about, like stewardship and diversion.
What about air? Constantly, we see environment minister after environment minister courting the media, talking tough on climate change despite pushing an ill-conceived cap-and-trade approach. Last week it was reported, “Ontario also signalled on Tuesday that it would not meet the January 1” western climate initiative “start-up date….” A further quote: “We are not ready to join the market in 2012.” This was Minister Wilkinson. “We need the time to get it right and that means getting it right both for the environment and our economy.” We do agree: Now is not the time for your cap-and-trade approach.
The same old story with the people across the way: It’s talk, little substance. The minister opposite can’t open his mouth without uttering the phrase “dirty coal.” Last year, coal-generated electricity went up 29% over 2009. As they say, BS baffles brains.
Just to wrap up, I’d remind government—I’d remind all of the people across Ontario—to celebrate Earth Day. Remain steadfast in your actions. Consider Earth Day as every day of the year.
For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629