OTTAWA — Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate Institute, made the following statement in response to the Ontario government’s proposed legislative amendments, outlined in the 2025 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, to repeal sections 3-5 of the 2018 Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, which requires the province to set emissions reduction targets, develop a climate change plan, and report on progress toward those goals:

“Ontario’s decision to repeal the legislated requirement to set emissions-reduction targets, develop and publish credible climate plans and measure progress toward its climate goals is regrettable, and will create less certainty for Ontarians and companies doing business in the province. 

“It’s unclear how Ontario expects to achieve measurable results on reducing emissions and accelerating low-carbon competitiveness without setting a credible climate target or a plan to achieve it. 

“Reducing Canada’s emissions is a shared responsibility for governments across the country. The Canadian Climate Institute’s research shows that climate progress is most effective when both provincial and federal governments take accountability for setting credible targets and developing and executing credible action plans. Publishing progress reports along the way is also an essential tool to keep the public informed on what’s working and where more action is needed.  

“Put simply, what you don’t measure, you can’t manage. It’s disappointing to see Ontario walking away from basic transparency and best practices for tackling climate change. 

“This decision is especially puzzling as Ontarians face escalating disruption and costs from climate-fuelled flooding, wildfires and extreme heat. This summer alone, the province experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, burning an area almost seven times as large as the previous year and blanketing major urban centres with wildfire smoke. Toronto also saw a record number of extreme heat days this year, threatening Ontarians’ health and productivity.  

“While the Trump administration may be stepping back from climate action, the rest of the world is moving full speed ahead with the energy transition. If Ontario wants to succeed in diversifying its markets and expanding trade with regions beyond the United States such as Europe and Asia, it must keep pace by investing in clean energy technologies and implementing a credible climate plan that supports competitiveness and affordability.”

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About the Canadian Climate Institute 

The Canadian Climate Institute is Canada’s leading climate change policy research organization. The Institute produces rigorous analysis, economic modelling, and in-depth research focused on incentivizing clean economic growth and low-carbon competitiveness, reducing emissions and accelerating Canada’s net zero energy transition, and making our economy and infrastructure more resilient to a warming climate. climateinstitute.ca