The PC Environment and Cap and Trade Critic says Ontario's environmental commissioner is voicing many of the same concerns her party has about Ontario's planned Cap and trade scheme.
Huron Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says the commissioner is concerned about the plan's excessive dependence on allowances from California, and the significant transfer of Ontario funds to the U.S.
Tuesday's Greenhouse Gas Report 2016 pointed out Ontario is likely to be a net buyer of allowances from California, where the program's future past 2020 is uncertain.
Thompson says that means any credits purchased in California will nullify Ontario Industry efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
The commissioner also says a continued lack of transparency on how emissions reductions will be accounted for, could lead to double counting, and serious concerns the government will siphon off auction proceeds for other purposes.
"We've heard it from the financial accountability officer when Bill 172 was being debated and we're hearing it again today from the ECO; more transparency needs to be in place regarding the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account. Independent Officers of the Legislature should have the ability to perform their job and evaluate the competency of the government when handling public funds, especially given the current government's abysmal track record," concluded Thompson.
The Environmental Commissioner's Greenhouse Gas Progress Report can be found at the following link: http://docs.assets.eco.on.ca/reports/climate-change/2016/2016-Annual-GHG-Report-EN.pdf
