Climate Change on Trial in Ontario

 

Today the province of Ontario is in court with the federal government of Canada to contest the imposition of a carbon tax. The provincial government is arguing that is unconstitutional for the feds to impose a tax. The federal government is saying that climate change is a national issue and that it's a right and responsibility to make polluters pay for the carbon they emit, 

The Ontario government  may want to downplay the fact that the feds are only doing this in provinces which refuse to do so themselves. Ontario did have a "cap and trade" carbon reduction strategy in place under the provincial Liberals but that program was kiboshed when the Conservatives were elected. The cap and trade program was in conjunction with the state of California and the province of Quebec, and despite the alarmist bluster of the current government it was successful in reducing carbon emissions and the economy was ticking along nicely. In fact, in most jurisdictions where there is some form of carbon tax it is working reasonably well. 

The current government in Ontario has no plan to reduce carbon emissions which contribute to climate change. It has made vague promises with no strategy which can be taken seriously. In truth, the government plans to use taxpayers dollars (my dollars) to create a media campaign of misinformation. In a puerile move it plans to put misleading stickers on gas pumps and fine operators up to $10,000 for not displaying them.

My temptation is to be furious and swear far more than is reasonable. While there is short-term satisfaction in this strategy I can do much more.

 I do plan to register my protest should the stickers become mandatory at gas stations, and I may have my Sharpie ready to commit acts of righteous vandalism.

I am going to pray as well, because this is one of the most significant spiritual issues of our time, and for generations to come. The phrase "deliver us from evil" comes to mind, and I will also pray that the people of this province will speak out against the destructive path of this government. I will do so for my grandchildren and all who will one day ask why we cared for little for their wellbeing and that of the planet. 


 

Gas Pump Sticker