On Monday, May 13, the Legislative Assembly will debate a motion that would recognize the real threat that climate change poses to our environment, our people and our economy - and call for action.
I know that climate issues are top of mind for the people of Davenport, as they are right across Ontario, but the Ford government's actions since coming to power have only served to undermine the fight against climate change.
As the Official Opposition, we are working to keep this, the challenge of our times, on the agenda at Queen's Park.
You can watch the debate live on the legislature's website, beginning at around 1:30 pm on Monday. The text of the motion can be found below.
Opposition Motion No. 5: Declare a climate emergency
Ms. Horwath — Whereas climate change is currently harming human populations in Ontario through tornadoes, floods, forest fires and other environmental disasters, generating threats to human life through illness, injury and displacement; and
Whereas marginalized people, including working-class people, Indigenous, Black and other racialized peoples, young people, and women have suffered the most, and benefitted the least from the conditions that have led to the climate crisis; and
Whereas climate change is currently endangering the survival of many species of plants and animals in Ontario, as well as jeopardizing the health of our natural environment; and
Whereas climate change is currently contributing to massive property and infrastructure damage across Ontario through tornadoes, floods, forest fires and other environmental disasters; and
Whereas the increasing frequency of 100-year storm events have threatened the insurability of properties across Ontario; and
Whereas the cost of inaction is projected to be far higher than the cost of action, and credible research indicates the need for immediate, decisive action on climate change in order to avoid harmful impacts on our society, environment and economy;
Therefore, the Legislative Assembly calls on the Government of Ontario to declare a climate emergency in order to officially recognize climate change as a real threat to our environment, our people and our economy, and develop provincial strategies and an action plan that will mitigate these threats and preserve our province for future generations.
Addressed to the Premier.