Toronto | Traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation – This Ontario election is poised to have significant environmental implications that extend far beyond the next four-year legislative term. Ontario’s approach to protecting natural areas and endangered species, addressing climate change, reducing pollution of freshwater rivers, streams and lakes and how and where new housing is built are all at stake.
Environment Defence has several experts available to talk about the key environmental issues that differentiate Ontario’s political parties including:
- Ontario’s record on climate change, and what the province should do to address greenhouse gas emissions
- The importance of protecting farmland and natural areas in Ontario’s most imperiled southern regions by ending settlement boundary expansions and sprawl Minister’s Zoning Orders
- Ending exclusionary zoning, and using future homes and workplaces of all types to turn all our existing car-dependent neighborhoods into complete communities
- Protecting people, homes and habitat from flooding, landslides and soil and water contamination by restoring the full mandate of Conservation Authorities
- The treatment of endangered species, including mandatory protection for all the habitat of at-risk species
- The province’s approach to safeguarding freshwater, addressing phosphorus, plastic and other pollution, and managing the commercial use of groundwater
- Placing a moratorium on new aggregate pits until new, more protective regulations are in place
- Expanding deposit-return to non-alcoholic beverages and improving “Extended Producer Responsibility” by making companies responsible for all of the waste their products generate
- Cancelling highways in the Greenbelt including Highway 413, the Holland Marsh Highway (Bradford Bypass) and the Hwy 404-12 connector
Environmental Defence also joined with other environmental groups to survey Ontario’s political parties on environmental issues. Their responses can be found here: http://www.greenprosperity.ca/
The Environmental Defence Experts Available Are:
Keith Brooks, Programs Director
Lana Goldberg, Ontario Climate Program Manager
Tim Gray, Executive Director
Phil Pothen, Ontario Environment Program Manager
Karen Wirsig, Plastics Program Manager
Michelle Woodhouse, Water Program Manager
Additional Resources:
What Makes A Strong Environment Plan for Ontario?
Ontario Election 2022 – Vote For The Environment
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Allen Braude, Environmental Defence, abraude@environmentaldefence.
