Ontario Election 2018

The Ontario election is on june 7, and we need your help to make sure climate justice issues are forefronted.

We need supporters to bring these issues up with candidates, as well as in discussions with friends, family and neighbours.

What do we mean by “climate justice?” We want to achieve GHG reductions while ensuring a just economic and social transition for affected Indigenous peoples, workers and communities, and insisting on government accountability and transparency.

How can you help? Make it Matter! Bring these issues and questions to your candidates at all-candidates debate, the door, campaign offices, by email or phone, whatever chance you get!

Issue #1: Carbon pricing To achieve legislated targets on climate change, Ontario has put a price on carbon, through the cap and trade system

Q/ Will you advocate to keep the cap and trade program? If not, how will Ontario hit its GHG reduction targets?

Q/ How will funds be used to help those most affected by climate change, such as energy workers, low-income families, agricultural workers and people in extreme weather vulnerable areas?

Issue #2: Investment in Renewable Energy

Ontario’s climate plan pledges to work with First Nations to support economic growth by reducing reliance on diesel fuel and enabling stable sources of power such as biomass, solar, and waterpower.

Q/ How will your government work with First Nations and other communities to create energy reliability, sustainable jobs and reduce greenhouse gases?

Q/ What time frame would your government have for ensuring mass production of solar panels and wind turbines?

Issue #3: Investment in Public Transit

Affordable, reliable publicly-funded transit is essential to meeting Ontario’s climate commitments as well as supporting low and middle income workers, and creating local jobs.

Q/ What are your priorities for building/funding low-fare public transit?

Q/ Would your government support community benefits agreements that guarantee community hiring and input for major transit infrastructure projects, such as developed for the Crosstown Eglinton project?

Issue #4: Support for low-carbon jobs

Low-carbon jobs, particularly in the health, education and service sectors, play a key role in our economy and in the lives of working people.

Q/ Will your government maintain the minimum wage increase to $15/hour on January 1, 2019 and protect the gains for workers contained in Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act?

Q/ Will you provide funding to make sure Bill 148 is fully implemented?

Issue #5: Privatization of Ontario Hydro

Public control over Ontario Hydro is essential to ensure accountability in how electricity is produced and priced, and provides good jobs and community benefits for infrastructure.

Q/ Will your government reverse the privatization of Ontario Hydro?

Q/ How will you ensure accountability in electricity production/price?

Issue #6: Transparency and Accountability

There is currently a lack of transparency around Ontario’s progress in reaching its GHG reduction targets.

Q/ What will you do to ensure that the public is aware of how their taxes are being used to fund a fossil free future?

Q/ Will your government track and publish Ontario’s annual GHG reductions so citizens can be continually aware of how their government is doing in reaching its emissions targets?

We are looking for people to do outreach in your community such as attend candidates meetings, flyer at neighbourhood events, organize events, or go door to door. You can help out a little or a lot, every little bit counts! Sign up here and we will be in touch with opportunities, as well as provide you with questions to ask, discussion points, flyers, and other supports.

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