For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2011
McGuinty government continues assault on Barrett over coal
Queen’s Park – How does a question about wind energy and eco tax turn into an assault on coal-fired generating stations? That’s the question that had local MPP and PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett scratching his head following Question Period today in the Ontario Legislature.
“On Monday, the same Minister (Environment Minister John Wilkinson), in media reports, said that the eco tax mess his government created will not cost $18 million, as Stewardship Ontario indicated; rather, it will cost $8 million,” Barrett explained in the Legislature. “How can the minister expect Ontario families to believe him when the story keeps changing?”
McGuinty’s Environment Minister ducked the question and went on to charge, “I’ll tell you what story hasn’t changed in the province of Ontario: that party over there has a love affair with dirty coal-fired generation. That is a fact.”
Barrett stayed the course with his questions concerning eco tax:
“After the Toronto Star reported Stewardship Ontario was seeking $18 million for the failed eco tax scheme, he said the numbers were wrong. When asked if it was $10 million, he said, ‘Nowhere near $10 million,’ but now the McGuinty government has agreed to pay $8 million.
“The eco tax program was botched from the start. It even cost your predecessor his job. Considering the mess the McGuinty government has made of eco taxes, again, how can Ontario families believe these kinds of numbers now?
Wilkinson once again dodged the question and continued on about coal, “I wonder if the member still agrees with what he said, which is that coal is ‘both affordable and abundant,’ and saying, ‘there are significant benefits.'”
After Question Period Barrett indicated he stands by his statements about coal and pointed out the McGuinty Government did nothing over eight years towards cleaner coal — nor did it meet any of its coal-closure deadlines.
– 30 –
Taxation
Mr. Toby Barrett: To the Minister of the Environment: Last May, the minister told his constituents in Wellington county that if a municipality did not sign off on wind energy application, the government would not approve the project. He later backtracked, saying the municipality must only be consulted. Then he said a letter from the municipality was as good as a consultation.
On Monday, the same minister, in media reports, said that the eco tax mess his government created will not cost $18 million, as Stewardship Ontario indicated; rather, it will cost $8 million. How can the minister expect Ontario families to believe him when the story keeps changing?
Hon. John Wilkinson: I’ll tell you what story hasn’t changed in the province of Ontario: that party over there has a love affair with dirty coal-fired generation. That is a fact.
When it comes to green energy, we believe in the province of Ontario that for a proponent to want to have a green energy project, whether it’s biogas or solar, they need to consult with the public first. They need to consult with the municipalities first. That is a requirement under the law.
When it comes to our ministry, we have received some 44 applications for renewable energy approvals. We have already rejected 23 of them because they have not done the required public and municipal consultation. We’ll continue to hold those companies to that new high standard, and we will take consultation from the public or the municipalities in any form that they would like to render it.
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?
Mr. Toby Barrett: Back to the Minister of the Environment. After the Toronto Star reported Stewardship Ontario was seeking $18 million for the failed eco tax scheme, he said the numbers were wrong. When asked if it was $10 million, he said, “Nowhere near $10 million,” but now the McGuinty government has agreed to pay $8 million.
The eco tax program was botched from the start. It even cost your predecessor his job. Considering the mess the McGuinty government has made of eco taxes, again, how can Ontario families believe these kinds of numbers now?
Hon. John Wilkinson: I thought that was a bit of a meandering question, but let’s get back to green energy.
I wonder if the member still agrees with what he said, which is that coal is “both affordable and abundant,” and saying, “there are significant benefits.” Well, I’ll tell you: All the children who end up going to emergency rooms in this province because of asthma, because of air pollution—and this province owns the largest source of air pollution in North America. That source of air pollution needs to be shut down, and we will do what’s required to improve air quality, because our children are counting on it. The people who suffer are the people who are already ill, the elderly and children. I would ask the other party opposite: Would you please get out of the 19th century and join us here in the 21st century. Let’s ensure that our children have a greener future with cleaner air to breathe. That is what’s important in this province.
Again, I say to people who have concerns about green energy: We will not make a decision unless the public and the municipalities have been consulted, and we will continue to take their feedback—
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.
–
For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629