2018: Environmental Policies and Promises

The University of Environmental Action (UTEA) is an undergraduate student group at the University of Toronto which raises awareness about environmental and sustainability issues. We are a non-partisan, non-profit group that encourages a greater understanding of environmental policy, governance, and advocacy. This document was made possible through the voluntary contributions of our student members.

Primary Researchers: Zahireen Tarefdar, Megan Mattes, Micaela Tam, Maisha Ahmed, Allegra Falvy, Keerat Dhami, Maddy Prater

Editors: Megan Mattes, Zahireen Tarefdar, Micaela Tam

Cover Design: Micaela Tam

For more information, contact:

Co-President, Zahireen Tarefdar [email protected]

Co-President, Micaela Tam [email protected]

UofT Environmental Action General [email protected]

First Published: June 6th, 2018 *Last Modified: June 12, 2018

1 Table of Contents

Ontario 2018: Environmental Policies and Promises 1

Environmental Issues 5 1. Cap and Trade Improvements 5 Background Information 5 Existing Policy 5 Party Positions 6 ■ 6 ​ ■ Ontario NDP 7 ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party 7 ​ ■ Party of Ontario 7 ​ Conclusions 8 Sources 8 2. Urban Transportation 9 Background Information 9 Existing Policy 11 Party Positions 12 ■ Ontario Liberal Party 12 ​ ■ Ontario NDP 12 ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party 12 ​ ■ of Ontario 12 ​ Conclusions 13 Sources 13 3. Renewable Energy 14 Background Information 14 Existing Policy 16 Party Positions 16 ■ Ontario Liberal Party 16 ​ ■ Ontario NDP 17 ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party 17 ​ ■ 17 ​ Conclusions 17 Sources 18 4. Mining 18 Background Information 18 Existing Policy 19

2 Party Positions 20 ■ Ontario Liberal Party 20 ​ ■ Ontario NDP 20 ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party 20 ​ ■ Green Party of Ontario 21 ​ Conclusions 21 Sources 21 5. Contaminated Water and Soil in Northern Communities 23 Background Information: 23 Existing Policy 24 Party Positions 24 ■ Ontario Liberal Party 24 ​ ■ Ontario NDP 25 ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party 25 ​ ■ Green Party of Ontario 25 ​ Conclusions 25 Sources 26 6. Great Lakes Protection 27 Existing Policy 28 Party Positions 29 ■ Ontario Liberal Party 29 ​ ■ Ontario NDP 29 ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party 30 ​ ■ Green Party of Ontario 30 ​ Conclusions 30 Sources 31 7. Biodiversity and Species Protection 32 Background Information 32 Existing Policy 32 Party Positions 33 ■ Ontario Liberal Party 33 ​ ■ Ontario NDP 33 ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party 34 ​ ■ Green Party of Ontario 34 ​ Conclusions 34 Sources 35

3 Environmental Issues

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of some of the key environmental issues in Ontario, as well as to inform readers on each party's position on these issues. By providing the positions of each party in a side-by-side comparison, we aim to help voters make informed decisions as we head to the polls on June 7th.

1. Cap and Trade Improvements

Zahireen Tarefdar

Background Information As of April 2015, Ontario established the Western Climate Initiative, a joint cap and trade program with the jurisdictions of Quebec and California [1]. The program implements costs on carbon emissions by ​ ​ limiting the amount of emissions that the Ontarian economy can produce [2] (the cap) to 142 megatons in ​ ​ 2017 [3]. This is facilitated through quarterly auctions [3] including Quebec and California, in which all ​ ​ ​ ​ three governments issues allowances, which are permits allowing a certain number of emissions, to regulated companies [2]. In these auctions, the floor price of one allowance, which allows for one tonne of ​ ​ carbon emissions, is expected to sell for an amount between $17.50 and $18 [3]. The number of ​ ​ allowances that Ontario can issue will be annually reduced each year to account for a cap of 136 megatonnes of emissions in 2018, to 131 megatonnes in 2019, and 125 megatonnes in 2020, requiring participating industry and company polluters to invest in cost-effective and sustainable technology that will reduce their emissions [3]. Furthermore, participating companies can also buy and sell allowances (the ​ ​ Trade) to each other in a secondary market, and in the case that a company intends to emit more carbon than they are permitted to, they must buy extra allowances from companies which have emitted less [3]. ​ ​

The has set a 2020 emissions reduction target of 15%, which it intends to reach through the more thorough implementation of the Cap and Trade Program [2]. It is to be noted that large ​ ​ emitters will receive allowances for free until 2020, in order to keep these businesses and industries in Ontario [1]. ​ ​ Existing Policy On May 18 2016, the Ontario government enacted The Climate Change Mitigation and Low- Carbon ​ Economy Act, which implemented the preliminary framework for the Ontario Cap and Trade Program [3]. ​ ​ ​

On July 1 2016, Ontario’s Cap and Trade Program regulation, under the Climate Change Mitigation and ​ Low- Carbon Economy Act, took effect. The regulation details the obligations for businesses and ​ ​ ​

4 industries participating in the program and the mechanisms in place to ensure transparency and anti-fraud [4]. ​

On September 22 2017, the Ontario government signed the “Agreement on the Harmonization and ​ Integration of Cap-and-Trade Programs for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions”, a Cap and Trade ​ linking agreement with Quebec and California. This agreement allows for Quebec, California and Ontario to hold joint auctions of allowances, and enables the credits issues by any of the three cap and trade programs to be accepted by each other’s governments [4]. ​ ​

On January 1 2018, the “Agreement on the Harmonization and Integration of Cap-and-Trade Programs ​ for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions” came into effect [5]. ​ ​ ​

On February 21 2018, the first joint auction between Quebec, Ontario, and California was held [6]. ​ ​

The Ontario Budget 2018 states that $2.4 billion was generated in revenue from the cap and trade program in the 2017-2018 period. This revenue was invested in: ● Providing retrofits to 17,500 social housing apartment building units and 14,000 homes ● Implementing 180 projects in 98 hospitals to create energy-related savings ● Energy-efficient upgrades in nearly 600 schools ● Partnering with 118 municipalities to build bike lanes and bike parking ● Installing over 300 electric vehicle (EV) chargers, including over 140 level 3 fast chargers ● Into the Green Ontario Fund ○ Engaged 140,000 people who will receive home energy audits and no-cost smart thermostats ○ Offered rebates to help homeowners save money- $7200 off insulation, $5000 off high-performance windows, $20,000 off ground source heat pumps, $5800 off air source heat pumps, and $100 off smart thermostats ○ Provided up to $25 million toward the GreenON Social Housing Program ○ Launched the GreenON Challenge with funding of up to $300 million to encourage the development of innovative ultra-low carbon technologies and processes [7]. ​ ​

Party Positions

■ Ontario Liberal Party ​

In the 2018 Ontario Liberal Party election platform document, entitled “The Ontario Liberal Plan for Care and Opportunity,” the party indicates plans to continue with their design for the Cap and Trade program [8]. ​

In the Ontario Budget 2018, the revenues from the Cap and Trade program are projected to be $2 billion dollars in the 2018-2019 period. The budget outlines that the government plans to $960 million of these

5 revenues to “Improving Energy Efficiency in Homes, Buildings and Industry” through retrofits, $600 million towards “Modernizing Transit, Freight and Active Transportation” by linking modes of low-carbon transportation, $200 million in “Engaging Governments and Strengthening Partnerships” through communicating with municipalities and First Nations communities, and the rest in promoting electric vehicles, research and development into clean technology, and preserving agricultural lands and forests [7]. ​ ​ ■ Ontario NDP ​ ​

In the fall 2017 document outlining NDP visions prior to the 2018 elections, entitled “A New Democratic Vision for Ontario,” the party states: “We support cap and trade” [9]. ​ ​

On April 23 2018, in a statement on the the Ontario NDP website, stated that: “The province brings in revenue from cap and trade. My platform commits at least 25 percent of that revenue to communities and individuals who today are carrying more than their fair share of the burden — like northern, rural, and low-income Ontarians, as well as trade-exposed industries. And I'm going to dedicate $50 million in cap-and- trade revenues to create a new no-interest, on-bill home-efficiency retrofit program, so people can improve the energy efficiency of their home” [10]. ​ ​

On May 20 2018, in a speech at an NDP campaign event, Andrew Horwath stated that: "We’re going to make sure that we adjust the cap and trade plan so that Ontarians understand what it is that they’re contributing to our goals of mitigating climate change. We also want to see, through that transparency, we’ll be able to measure more carefully and more openly the effectiveness of the system" [11]. ​ ​ ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ​ ​

In the 2018 Ontario PC Party election platform entitled, “Plan for the People”, the party states that they would cut the Cap and Trade program and save $1.9 billion in doing so, calling the program a “slush fund” [12]. ​ ​

On April 23 2018, tweeted the following: “I am going to scrap the carbon tax and Wynne’s Cap and Trade slush fund” [13]. ​ ​

■ Green Party of Ontario ​ ​

On December 17, 2015, posted an analysis on the liberal Cap and Trade program on the Green Party of Ontario website. His analysis commended the government for introducing the program, but expressed concerns that the program was “not ambitious enough to meet our obligations in avoiding the worst consequences of the climate crisis.” He recommended that the government include more agricultural, waste, and energy-from-waste companies, reconsider free pollution permits, and clarify

6 where revenue from the program would be allocated. He also stated that he preferred a fee-and-dividend model of carbon pricing over cap and trade [14]. ​ ​

The Green Party 2018 Platform online does not explicitly address the Cap and Trade Program [15]. ​ ​ Conclusions Most parties have a clear position on the Cap and Trade Program in Ontario. The Ontario Liberal Party plans to continue the Cap and Trade program as outlined in the Climate Change Mitigation and Low- ​ Carbon Economy Act, and has indicated that they will continue to allocate revenues generated from the ​ program towards sustainable infrastructure and technology. The NDP is committed to continuing the program, but calls for increased accountability about revenue spending, and a greater allocation of revenues towards low-income families. It should be noted that the Liberal party does, in fact, have a breakdown of where the revenues from the carbon pricing system are allocated, in both their 2017 and 2018 provincial budgets. On the other hand, the PCP has indicated a strong stance against cap and trade, with a commitment to end the program if elected. The Green Party stance is least clear of of all, although the party has several critiques of the current program.

UTEA recommends that the Liberal Party build on their plans for cap and trade beyond 2020, while the NDP clarify how they could be more transparent about revenue allocation. Furthermore, that the PCP provide some framework for climate change mitigation if not through cap and trade, and the green party clarify their position on this topic.

Sources: [1] Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. “Ontario’s Five Year Climate Change Action Plan 2016- 2020.” Government of Ontario. March 14, 2018. Website version- section 5. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/ page/climate-change-action-plan ​ [2] Morrow, Adrian. "Cap and Trade Explained: What Ontario’s Shift on Emissions Will Mean." The Globe and Mail. May 14, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ ​ ​ ​ cap-and-trade-explained-what-ontarios-shift-on-emissions-will-mean/article23895285/. ​ [3] The Canadian Press. “How Ontario’s cap-and-trade system works.” CBC/Radio-Canada. March 22, ​ ​ 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/cap-and-trade-explainer-1.4035230 ​ [4] Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. “Cap and trade: program overview”. Government ​ of Ontario. January 2, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/page/cap-and-trade-program ​ ​ ​ -overview [5] Office of the Premier. “Agreement on the Harmonization and Integration of Cap-and-Trade Programs for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Government of Ontario. September 22, 2017. Accessed June ​ ​ 1, 2018. https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2017/09/agreement-on-the-harmonization-and-integration ​ -of-cap-and-trade-programs-for-reducing-greenhouse-gas.html

7 [6] Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. “February 2018 Joint Auction #14: Summary Results Report. Government of Ontario. May 17, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/ ​ ​ ​ ​ page/february-2018-joint-auction-14-summary-results-report [7] The Honourable , Minister of Finance. “2018 Ontario Budget; A Plan for Care and Opportunity.” Government of Ontario. March 28, 2018. PDF version- pages: 115-117. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ ​ 2018. http://budget.ontario.ca/2018/budget2018-en.pdf ​ [8] “The Ontario Liberal Plan for Care and Opportunity - Ontario Liberal Party Platform.” Ontario ​ Liberal Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://platform.ontarioliberal.ca/ full-platform-text/ ​ ​ ​ ​ [9] “A New Democrat Vision for Ontario.” Ontario NDP. January 19, 2018. Page: 32. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/VisionDoc-ENG-111517.pdf ​ [10] “Ford will cost Ontarians.” Ontario NDP. April 23, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/ford-will-cost-ontarians [11] Audette-Longo, Trish. “Horwath’s NDP would ‘adjust’ Ontario cap and trade to fight climate-warming pollution.” The National Observer. May 20, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/05/20/news/horwaths-ndp-would-adjust-ontario-cap-and-trade-fi ght-climate-warming-pollution [12] “Plan For The People - Ontario PC Party”. Ontario PC Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://www.ontariopc.ca/plan_for_the_people [13] Ford, Doug. Twitter. April 23, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://twitter.com/fordnation/status/ ​ ​ ​ ​ 988423114576072704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Ftorontosun.com%2Fnews%2Fp rovincial%2Fcap-and-trade-pumping-ontarians-dry-pc-leader-ford-says [14] Schreiner, Mike. “Cap and Trade needs careful design.” Green Party of Ontario. December 17, 2018. ​ ​ Accessed June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/2015/12/17/cap-and-trade-needs-careful-design/ ​ ​ [15] “People powered change- Green Party of Ontario Platform 2018.” Green Party of Ontario. Accessed ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/our-platform/ ​ ​

2. Urban Transportation

Megan Mattes

Background Information

As of 2013, transportation accounts for 35% of Ontario’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1]. GHG ​ ​ emissions and pollution have negative impacts on the physical environment and human health; among the impacts are smog, acid rain, aggravation of respiratory illnesses, and contribution to climate change [2]. ​ ​ The occurrence of traffic congestion aggravates these impacts, particularly in urban areas, in which vehicles generate more emissions through idling in highly congested traffic [3]. ​ ​ GTA As of 2013, 41% of Toronto’s GHG emissions are from the transportation sector [4]. 37% of the city’s ​ ​ population uses public transit for their commute, and 11.4% use a form of active transportation; 51% use

8 a personal vehicle for their commute [5]. Though public transit and active transportation are on the rise ​ ​ and personal vehicle use is declining in both Toronto and the GTA, the quantity of vehicles on the road is unsustainable. A large shift in transportation habits is required in order to meet Ontario’s goal to reduce GHG pollution by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 [6]. ​ ​

Table 1: Proportion of residents in Toronto and the GTA using a given transportation method in their daily commute [5] ​ Method Toronto GTA

Personal vehicle, as driver 45.98% 63.69%

Personal vehicle, as passenger 4.57% 5.63%

Public transit 37.01% 23.35%

Walking 8.61% 5.08%

Bicycle 2.75% 1.36%

Other 1.09% 0.99%

Mid-size Cities According to data collected in 2017, mid-size cities are largely reliant on personal vehicles for transportation: of all mid-size cities’ metropolitan areas, 65% of areas are considered to be automobile-centric suburbs, and only 20% of areas are active cores or transit-friendly suburbs (Figure 1). Public transportation and active transportation are often not feasible due to underdeveloped infrastructure and great distances [7]. ​ ​

Figure 1: Types of areas contained in all mid-sized Canadian cities [7]. ​

9 Existing Policy On May 18, 2016, Ontario passed the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act. This act ​ ​ states Ontario’s emissions reductions targets to be: 1. “A reduction of 15 per cent by the end of 2020. 2. A reduction of 37 per cent by the end of 2030. 3. A reduction of 80 per cent by the end of 2050.” Furthermore, the act states that “the Government of Ontario shall prepare a climate change action plan that sets out actions under a regulatory scheme designed to modify behaviour that will enable Ontario to achieve its targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

This action plan, entitled “Ontario’s Five-Year Climate Change Action Plan 2016-2020,” contains action items highly relevant to the future of urban transportation [8]. From the section “Transportation”: ​ ​ ● Increase use of Electric Vehicles (EVs) ○ Maintain incentives for electric vehicles ○ Eliminate HST on zero emission vehicles ○ Free overnight electric vehicle charging ○ Replace older vehicles ○ Ensure charging infrastructure is widely available through more charging stations and EV-ready homes and workplaces. ● Support cycling and walking ● Increase the use of low-carbon trucks and buses ● Support the Accelerated Construction of GO Regional Express Rail From the section Land-Use Planning: ​ ​ ● Reduce congestion and improve economic activity ○ Help manage congestion ○ Reduce single-passenger vehicle trips [8] ​ Party Positions

■ Ontario Liberal Party ​ In the 2018 Ontario Budget, the province allocates $79 billion to public transit, and $25 billion on highway infrastructure. This includes expansions of the GO rail network, several rapid transit systems in the GTHA, investments in municipal transit projects, and a high-speed rail project to connect the GTHA to southern Ontario. The budget also states that the province will be investing $90 million in 2017–18 to support commuter cycling as part of the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program [9]. ​ ​

■ Ontario NDP ​

In the fall 2017 document outlining NDP visions prior to the 2018 elections, the NDP states: “New Democrats believe the province has a role to play in funding transit and an NDP government will match

10 municipal operations funding for public transit on a 50/50 basis. This means investing more than $800 million annually for transit, including more than $330 million in Toronto alone” [10]. ​ ​

The platform also states that the NDP has committed to further “build GO rail and bus networks to take cars off the road”, and improve inter-regional transportation by “bring[ing] much needed passenger rail service to communities across Northeastern Ontario by restoring service on the Ontario Northlander” [10]. ​ ​

■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ​ ​

In the 2018 Ontario PC Party election platform, the party states that it intends to maintain the Ontario Budget 2018 funding allocated towards delivering two-way, all-day GO service and towards the regional expansion of the GO line throughout Ontario. The platform also indicated that the PCP would allocate $160 million per year towards expanding subway lines in Toronto, and would “add $5 billion[…] to build the Sheppard Loop with Scarborough, the Relief Line and the Yonge Extension while building future crosstown expansions underground.” Furthermore, the platform states that they party will explore high-speed rail and highway lane infrastructure, complete the environmental assessment of the GTA West Corridor, and increase highway safety on the 410 West, Highway 17, and Highway 3 [11]. ​ ​

■ Green Party of Ontario ​ ​

The 2018 Green Party of Ontario platform online states that the party intends to “increase funding for public infrastructure by $1-1.5 billion per year over projects in the 2018 budget,” for a total of $34.73 billion over four years. The platform also states that it intends for the province to “fund 50% of the operating costs of municipal transit systems.” Furthermore, the platform outlines the party’s intent to invest over $2.17 billion over four years towards municipal pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and outlines that all funds would be raised by through revenue tools such as “congestion charges, parking levies, and land value taxes” [12]. ​ ​

As of 2018, the webpage for the Green Party of Ontario Vision also states that the party intends to better integrate municipal transit systems, develop GO train and bus infrastructure, secure a plan for density on subways and LRTs, and to electrify public transportation systems where feasible [13]. ​ ​ Conclusions All parties have made commitments to improve urban transportation, though some less so than others. The NDP committed to expand GO rail, bus networks, and restoring service on the Ontario Northlander. Similarly, the PCP have also detailed plans to expand GO services and subway lines, but have added that they are open exploring new transportation opportunities. Though the PCP has a specific plan for urban transportation improvements, it is important to note that the sustainability aspect of urban transportation is less emphasized. There is no mention of a cycling program for both the PCP and the NDP. Through their budget, the Liberals’ plan includes more than just the GO network by allocating money to high speed rail projects and a cycling program. Of all four parties, however, the Green Party seems to have the most ambitious plans for urban transportation. 11

UTEA recommends that the next steps for all parties should include more specific and step-by-step plans to create sustainable transportation systems and a timeframe of future urban transportation projects.

Sources: [1] Environment Canada and Climate Change. “2015 NIR Revised.” Government of Ontario. November ​ ​ 9, 2016. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/data/greenhouse-gas-emissions-sector ​ ​ [2] “Greenhouse gas emissions: drivers and impacts.” Government of Canada. April 13, 2017. Accessed ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/ ​ ​ services/environmental-indicators/greenhouse-gas-emissions-drivers-impacts.html [3] Marve, Shradhesh R., Mangesh Bhorkar, and Payal Baitule. "A Survey on Environmental Impacts Due to Traffic Congestion in Peak Hours." International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering 2 ​ ​ no.08 (2016): 152-153. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.academia.edu/22733357/A_Survey_on_ ​ ​ Environmental_Impacts_Due_to_Traffic_Congestion_in_Peak_Hours [4] Chief Corporate Officer- City of Toronto. “Toronto’s 2013 Greenhouse Gas Inventory.” City of ​ Toronto. January 13, 2016. Page: 4. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.toronto.ca/ ​ ​ legdocs/mmis/2016/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-87697.pdf [5] Spurr, Ben and Cole, Matthew. “Share of Torontonians taking public transit is on the rise, while reliance on cars declines.” Toronto Star. November 29, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2017/11/29/share-of-torontonians-taking-public-transit-is-on-the-rise- while-reliance-on-cars-declines.html [6] Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. “Ontario First Province in Canada to Set 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target.” Government of Ontario. May 14, 2015. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ 2018. https://news.ontario.ca/ene/en/2015/05/ ​ ​ ontario-first-province-in-canada-to-set-2030-greenhouse-gas-pollution-reduction-target.html [7] Evergreen Mid-Size Cities Research Collaborative. “Leveraging Ontario’s Urban Potential: Mid-Sized Cities Research Series.” Evergreen. May 2017. Page: 55. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://www.evergreen.ca/downloads/pdfs/2017/00_MSC_RC_Compendium.pdf [8] Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. “Ontario’s Five Year Climate Change Action Plan 2016- 2020.” Government of Ontario. March 14, 2018. Website version- section 6. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/page/climate-change-action-plan ​ [9] The Honourable Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance. “2018 Ontario Budget; A Plan for Care and Opportunity.” Government of Ontario. March 28, 2018. Website version- Chapter 2: Growing the ​ ​ Economy. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://budget.ontario.ca/2018/chapter-2.html ​ [10] “A New Democrat Vision for Ontario.” Ontario NDP. January 19, 2018. Page: 21. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/VisionDoc-ENG-111517.pdf ​ ​ [11] Ontario PC Party. “Plan For The People - Ontario PC Party”. Ontario PC Party. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontariopc.ca/plan_for_the_people ​ ​

12 [12] “People powered change- Green Party of Ontario Platform 2018.” Green Party of Ontario. Accessed ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/our-platform/ ​ ​ [13] “The Green Vision for Efficient Transportation”. Green Party of Ontario. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://gpo.ca/vision/planet/#1521511778220-90453aba-2a9e

3. Renewable Energy

Megan Mattes

Background Information Ontario’s energy comes from a range of sources, which have varying environmental impacts. Figures 1 and 2 show the breakdown of energy sources by their generation contribution to Ontario’s transmission and distributed systems [1]. ​ ​

Figure 1: Ontario’s energy mix from its transmission capacity [1]. ​ ​

13

Figure 2: Ontario’s energy mix from the distribution system (that is in commercial operation, rather than being Ontario-owned and operated) [1]. ​ ​

The following table shows a comparison of the grams of CO2 equivalent emitted per kWh generated by each of the relevant energy sources. Data was not found for the lifecycle emissions of biofuel and bio-energy.

Table 1: Lifecycle emissions for six energy sources in Ontario [2] ​ Lifecycle emissions (gCO2eq / kWh) Energy Source Min Median Max

Natural gas 410 490 650

Nuclear 3.7 12 110

Hydropower 1.0 24 2200

Solar - utility scale 18 48 180

Solar - rooftop 26 41 60

Wind - onshore 7.0 11 56

There are many ways to assess environmental impact of an energy source, including examining its impact upon wildlife, and upon residents of nearby communities; therefore examining the lifecycle CO2 equivalent emissions of an energy source does not capture the full picture of its impact. For example, natural gas and hydro power generate methane emissions, while the other energy sources do not; and

14 nuclear power has a potentially large environmental impact in its decommissioning phase due to the disposal of nuclear waste [2]. ​ ​ Existing Policy On February 23, 2009, the government passed The Green Energy Act, which was intended to accelerate ​ ​ investment in renewable energy sources through providing “a Province-led, coordinated approvals framework for renewable energy projects, with clear provincial rules and transparent decision-making. The new approvals framework established through the GEA and related regulations exempts most renewable energy developments from the Environmental Assessment Act process and, with some exceptions, the Planning Act process.” The act focused on phasing out coal energy sources and prioritizing contracts to renewable energy producers through a feed-in-tariff pricing system [3]. ​ ​ Party Positions

■ Ontario Liberal Party ​

In the 2018 Ontario Liberal Party election platform, the Liberal party commits to the following actions: ● Transitioning industries, such as the agri-food sector, to low-carbon technologies ● Making lower-carbon fuels more available and therefore more often used ● Working with First Nations and Métis communities to minimize the impact of the transition to non-fossil fuel energy ● Supporting the clean technology sector [4] ​

■ Ontario NDP ​

In the 2018 Ontario NDP election platform, the party states that “renewables such as solar, water, and wind will be at the heart of the electricity system and [they] will integrate them responsibly as needs grow. [They] will respect local decision-making and ensure that local communities have a stake in the benefits that come from low-cost, zero-emission renewables” [5]. ​ ​

■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ​ ​

The 2018 Ontario PC Party website states that the party intends to scrap the Green Energy Act. The platform does also state that the party will “set up an emissions-reduction fund to invest in new technologies to reduce emissions right here in Ontario,” although no other details are given [6]. ​ ​

■ Green Party of Ontario ​

As of 2018, the webpage for the Green Party of Ontario Vision states that the party would: ● Create a plan for Ontario to be powered by 100% renewable energy, which includes a plan to achieve GHG targets and create local jobs 15 ● Work with local communities to provide to incentive small renewable energy projects ● Support renewable energy projects initiated by Indigenous communities ● Help homeowners, renters, and businesses convert natural gas, oil, and propane systems to more affordable and sustainable sources such as heat pumps or geothermal [7]. ​ ​

The Green Party of Ontario platform states that one of the key eight commitments of the Green Party is to “set Ontario on a pathway to 100% renewable energy.” Under this section, the party endorses the ongoing proposal for Ontario to buy hydro-electricity from Quebec, and indicates that they would either abolish or reconfigure the Fair Hydro Plan [8]. ​ ​ Conclusions The GPO and the NDP platforms contain strong stances on including renewable energy sources in Ontario’s future. The Liberal platform contains some intention to expand solar to households, and their record during their time in government has been positive in the support of expanding renewables and discontinuing coal. The PC intends to discontinue the Green Energy Act, and does not mention a clear intention to expand renewable energy use in Ontario.

UTEA recommends that all parties continue to build on their commitments to renewable energy, and that the PC party address the need for renewable energy in Ontario.

Sources: [1] “Ontario’s Energy Capacity.” Independent Electricity Supply Operator (IESO). Accessed June 1, ​ ​ 2018. http://www.ieso.ca/learn/ontario-supply-mix/ontario-energy-capacity ​ [2] Edenhofer, Ottmar, Ramon Pichs-Madruga, Youba Sokona, Kristin Seyboth, Patrick Matschoss, Susanne Kadner, Timm Zwickel et al. "IPCC special report on renewable energy sources and climate change mitigation." Prepared By Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ​ Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK (2011): chapter 7 & 9. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/special-reports/srren/ipcc-srren-generic-presentation-1.pdf [3] Ministry of Municipal Affairs/Ministry of Housing. “The Green Energy Act.” Government of Ontario. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page6670.aspx ​ [4] “The Ontario Liberal Plan for Care and Opportunity - Ontario Liberal Party Platform.” Ontario ​ Liberal Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://platform.ontarioliberal.ca/ full-platform-text/ ​ ​ [5] “Change For The Better.” Ontario NDP. May 22, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. PDF- page: 57. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/Change-for-the-better.pdf [6] “Plan For The People - Ontario PC Party”. Ontario PC Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://www.ontariopc.ca/plan_for_the_people [7] “The Green Vision.”. Green Party of Ontario. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://gpo.ca/vision/planet/#1521511778220-90453aba-2a9e

16 [8] “People powered change- Green Party of Ontario Platform 2018.” Green Party of Ontario. Accessed ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/our-platform/ ​ ​

4. Mining

Micaela Tam

Background Information In Ontario, the mining sector constitutes a large part of the economy, accounting for 1.2% of Ontario’s total gross domestic product in 2015. Furthermore, Ontario produced 25.2% of Canada’s mineral products in 2015 and is “the largest producer of gold, nickel, copper, platinum group metals, salt and structural materials” in Canada [1]. Key mining subsectors of Ontario include: underground mines, open pit mines ​ ​ and quarries, sand and gravel pit operations, mineral exploration sites and oil and gas extraction sites and facilities [2]. ​ ​

Consequently, Ontario mining legislations and policies are significant for maintaining the environmental quality of the region. The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines is the primary ministry responsible for the regulation of mineral prospecting, extraction and rehabilitation; additionally, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry leads the regulation of aggregate pits and quarries. Other ministries, such as the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing take part in regulating aggregate operations [3]. ​ ​ Existing Policy In 1990, the Aggregate Resources Act passed and aims to regulate aggregate pit and quarries. Currently, ​ ​ the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry follows regulations stated in this act [4]. ​ ​

In 1990, the Public Lands Act was passed, which regulates the use of Crown and shore lands including ​ ​ any public land managed by the Mineral of Natural Resources and forestry. Work permits need to be approved before any work starts on these lands [4]. ​ ​

In 1990, the Ontario Water Resources Act was passed and aids in the monitoring of mining activities as it ​ ​ regulates the discharges of wastewater to the natural environment produced in industrial sectors such as metal mining [5]. ​ ​

In 1990, Environmental Protection Act passed and O.Reg. 560/94 outlined monitoring regulation that ​ ​ applies in every metal mining plant that discharges more than 50 cubic metres of process effluent, cooling water effluent and overflow effluent [6]. ​ ​

17 On 28 October 2009, the royal assent for Bill 173 - An Act to Amend the Mining Act was received.This act ​ ​ works to consider Aboriginal and treaty rights, private landowners, and the environmental impact of the mining process in conducting mineral exploration and development. It thus works to modernize the Mining Act – provincial legislation that regulates the mining process in Ontario – to more effectively ​ address these considerations through three phases [7]. ​ ​

In 2012 and 2013 Phase II implemented a new system to regulate Exploration Plans and Exploration Permits for Early Stage Mineral Exploration, that seeks to consult Aboriginal communities that would be affected by potential mining activities. Potential gaps of this “new stage of screening, notification, consultation and regulatory oversight for early exploration activities,” include the fact that the requiring of an exploration permit is limited to the scale of the activity and thus does not involve other environmentally related criteria [8]. ​ ​

On 12 December 2012, a Class Environmental Assessment for Activities of the Ministry of Northern Development Mines was approved under the Environmental Assessment Act. It was amended on 3 July 2014 and 28 February 2018. The Class Environmental Assessment initiated by the MNDM aims to ​ ​ “provide an effective process for screening evaluating and mitigating the potential environmental effects of activities within the class and to provide appropriate consultation opportunities to ensure that all potential environmental effects of a project are considered” by making certain that MNDM activities under the Mining Act meet the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act [9]. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

On 10 May 2017, the royal assent for Bill 39 - Aggregate Resources and Mining Modernization Act was ​ ​ received. This act seeks to modernize the Aggregate Resources Act and the Mining Act by increasing ​ ​ ​ ​ regulation considering environmental protection and Aboriginal communities while improving competitiveness and creating economic growth in the industry [10]. ​ ​ Party Positions

■ Ontario Liberal Party ​

In May 2014, recommitted to spending $1 billion dollars to build a highway in the northern Ring of Fire region with or without federal funding. This 1 billion goes into the paving of an all-season road in the area to spur the mining industry [11]. Moreover, Wynne negotiated agreements with ​ ​ the Webequie, Marten Falls and Nibinamik First Nations to begin construction of this all-season road [12]. ​ ​ The development of the chromite mining industry in the Ring of Fire is something the Liberals have continually committed to, and Wynne has vowed that this road system will be underway by 2019 [13]. In ​ ​ March 2018, Wynne publicly stated that “mining is integral to our future [and] we’re taking action to support it” [14]. ​ ​

In March 2018, the Ontario Liberal government released their pre-election budget and pledged “$490 million dollars over 10 years to the Ontario Northland Transportation Commision to renovate its rails, bridges and trains, along with $85 million over three years in electricity rebates ‘to support business in the

18 mining and forestry sectors.” The budget mentions considerations for sustainable development in the Ring of Fire region as well as consultation plans with First Nations communities to construct the all-season road [15]. ​ ​

■ Ontario NDP ​ ​

In their vision document, the NDP states that they “will work with First Nations, mining and exploration companies, refiners and northerners to get the” Ring of Fire project moving [16]. Although the document ​ ​ ensured that the NDP government would “transition Ontario’s economy to one that is modern, prosperous, environmentally sustainable and works for all Ontarians,” there was no mention of sustainable development and planning in sections about mining development [17]. ​ ​

The 2018 Ontario NDP election platform seeks to further 2014 platform goals through reconciliation efforts in which Andrea Horwath promised to “transfer the province’s share of mining taxes to Ontario’s First Nations, working with First Nations leadership” [17]. ​ ​

■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ​

In March 2018, PC Leader Doug Ford vowed to go forward on proposed mining projects in the Ring of Fire “even if [he has] to hop on a bulldozer [himself]” [18]. He promised to “move the Ring of Fire mining ​ ​ project forward immediate if elected [19].” He also vowed to make sure to listen to people in the mining ​ ​ industry on how to create more jobs and opportunities throughout Northern Ontario [20]. ​ ​

In the 2018 Ontario PC election platform, the PCs state that they “will, finally, open up the incredible resources of our North, starting by cutting through the special interest and bureaucratic delays blocking us from developing the Ring of Fire” [21]. ​ ​

■ Green Party of Ontario ​ ​

In March 2018, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner stated that “this party backs a sustainable approach to mining, including for projects like the Ring of Fire.” He also expressed similar interests as NDP Leader Andrea Horwath in keeping the refining process of minerals mined in Ontario within the region [22]. ​ ​

The 2018 Ontario Green Party of Ontario online platform states that the party will set aside $3.1 billion dollars for “Mining Public Return and Aggregate Levies” over four years, of which $1.23 billion will be shared with First Nations and northern municipalities [23]. ​ ​ Conclusions All parties seem to be encouraging development of the mining industry in the Ring of Fire region in Northern Ontario. Sustainable development rhetoric is evident in most parties, and all but the NDP and

19 Doug Ford’s PCP platform have directly linked sustainability with mining. All parties, except for the PCP, have indicated that First Nations should be consulted as partners throughout the process. None have explicitly laid out solid and comprehensive plans on how to approach sustainable mining development.

UTEA recommends that the next step for all parties would be to create and publicize a step-by-step policy process on how they plan to develop the Ring of Fire region in an environmentally and socially conscious manner, and that the PCP address how it intends to deal with First Nations communities which will be impacted by northern mining operations.

Sources: [1] Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). “Mining Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction Ontario 2016-2018.” Government of Canada. July 19, 2017. Page: 1. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ http://www.edsc-esdc.gc.ca/img/edsc-esdc/jobbank/SectoralProfiles/ON/2017/20162018SectProf_ON_Mi ning_EN.pdf. ​ [2] Ministry of Labour. “The mining sector.” Government of Ontario. August 23, 2017. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/document/mining-sector-plan-2017-2018/mining-sector. ​ ​ [3] “Mining/Aggregates.” Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ https://eco.on.ca/learn-more/environmental-topics/aggregates-mining/ [4] Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. “Crown land work permits.” Government of Ontario. ​ ​ January 22, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/page/crown-land-work-permits. ​ ​ ​ [5] Ministry of the Environmental and Climate Change. “Rules for treating industrial wastewater.” ​ Government of Ontario. January 10, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ https://www.ontario.ca/page/rules-treating-industrial-wastewater. ​ [6] “O. Reg. 560/94: Effluent Monitoring and Effluent Limits – Metal Mining Sector.” Government of ​ ​ ​ Ontario. July 28, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/940560#BK2 ​ ​ [7] Gravelle, Michael. “Bill 173, Mining Amendment Act, 2009.” Legislative Assembly of Ontario. ​ ​ October 28, 2009. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ola.org/web/bills/ ​ bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2170&isCurrent=false&detailPage=bills_detail_status [8] “Serving the Public.” Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. March 25, 2016. Page: 150. Accessed ​ ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://media.assets.eco.on.ca/archive/2015/03/2012-13-AR.pdf#page=149 ​ [9] Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. “A class Environmental Assessment for Activities of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines under the Mining Act.” Government of Ontario. ​ ​ ​ February 28, 2018. Pages: 8-10. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/sites/default/files/ ​ class_ea_approved_minor_amendments.pdf [10] McGarry, Kathrynn. “Bill 39, Aggregate Resources and Mining Modernization Act, 2017.” ​ Legislative Assembly of Ontario. May 10, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ola.org/ ​ ​ web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=4213&detailPage=bills_detail_the_bill

20 [11] Rogers, Kaleigh. “Ontario Liberals promise $1-billion for Ring of Fire.” The Globe and Mail. May ​ ​ ​ 12, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ ​ ontario-liberals-promise-1-billion-for-ring-of-fire/article18835742/ [12] Benzie, Robert. “Road to Ring of Fire mining development gets green light.” Toronto Star. August ​ ​ ​ 21, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/21/ ​ road-to-ring-of-fire-mining-development-gets-green-light.html [13] Giovannetti, Justin. “Ontario sets date for Ring of Fire roads.” The Globe and Mail. August 22, 2017. ​ ​ ​ Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ ​ ontario-to-build-roads-into-ring-of-fire-region/article36039989/ [14] Wynne, Kathleen. Twitter. March 4, 2018 Accessed June 1, 2018. https://twitter.com/ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kathleen_Wynne/status/970475717010997248 [15] Aubé, Benjamin.“No love for Liberal budget from opposition MPPS in northern Ontario.” ​ CBC/Radio Canada. March 29, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.cbc.ca/news/ ​ ​ canada/sudbury/ontario-liberals-budget-reaction-northern-1.4597440 [16] “A New Democrat Vision for Ontario.” Ontario NDP. January 19, 2018. Page: 12. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/VisionDoc-ENG-111517.pdf ​ ​ [17] “Reconciliation.” Ontario NDP. 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontariondp.ca/ ​ ​ ​ ​ reconciliation [18] Kappler, Maija.“Doug Ford tells supporters he can ‘take back’ Ontario from Liberals.” The Globe ​ ​ and Mail. March 19, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ​ ​ article-doug-ford-tells-supporters-he-can-take-back-ontario-from-liberals/ [19] CBC News. “Progress Conservatives outline plan for northern Ontario.” CBC/ Radio-Canada. March ​ ​ 16, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ​ doug-ford-northern-ontario-1.4579311 [20] Crawley, Mike. “Doug Ford ends northern Ontario tour without any northern promises.” CBC/Radio- ​ Canada. April 12, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ​ ​ ​ ​ doug-ford-northern-ontario-tour-wrap-1.4615702. ​ [21] “Plan For The People - Ontario PC Party”. Ontario PC Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ ​ https://www.ontariopc.ca/plan_for_the_people [22] CBC News. “Green Party leader Mike Schreiner touring northern Ontario.” CBC/Radio-Canada. ​ ​ March 29, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ​ green-party-leader-northern-ontario-1.4597111. ​ [23] “People powered change- Green Party of Ontario Platform 2018.” Green Party of Ontario. Accessed ​ ​ ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/our-platform/ ​ ​

21 5. Contaminated Water and Soil in Northern Communities

Maisha Ahmed and Allegra Falvy

Background Information: For decades, Northern Ontario communities such as Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) Independent Nations have been affected by contaminated water and soil. These communities faced mercury poisoning in their ecosystem as a result of industrial processes in the 1960s and 1970s [1]. ​ ​ Furthermore, the consistently high levels of mercury in the sediment and water from the Wabigoon River suggest that there is an ongoing source also contributing to this contamination, which may originate from former industrial sites. The mercury has contaminated the fish from the Wabigoon River, threatening the economic livelihood of some of these communities, who have historically depended on fishing [2]. The ​ ​ high levels of methylmercury have also made drinking water unsafe, and has created an epidemic of mercury poisoning within some of these communities - the symptoms for which include impaired psychomotor coordination, tunnel vision, and cognitive damage [2]. A 2016 independent report by ​ ​ Japanese researchers estimates that more than 90% of the Grassy Narrows population suffers from mercury poisoning [3]. ​ ​

A 2018 investigation by the Toronto Star shows evidence that the provincial government has been aware of mercury contamination in the soil since the 1990s, but did not inform the community members of Grassy Narrows or Whitedog [1]. ​ ​ Existing Policy In 1990, the Ontario Water Resources Act was passed. It aims to regulate sewage and waste disposal and ​ ​ to avoid any water contamination. It applies to both groundwater and surface water [4]. ​ ​

In 2002, the Ontario Legislature passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, which aims to protect human health ​ ​ by controlling and regulating drinking water systems and testing. It requires all municipal drinking water systems to obtain an approval from the Director of the Ministry of the Environment in order to operate [4]. ​ ​

On August 20, 2002, the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Contaminated Sites Management Policy was enacted. The purpose of the policy is to act as an guidance for managing sites that are contaminated on reserve lands, federal lands north of the 60th parallel, and any other lands under AANDC’s responsibility. The objective of the policy is for AANDC to contribute to a “safer, healthier, sustainable environment for First Nations, Inuit, and northerners by striving to preserve and enhance the ecological integrity of the environment” [5]. The second objective the policy “require[s] that, ​ ​ where a suspected contaminated site has been identified, the site be assessed in a timely, consistent and cost effective manner” [5]. The policy also states that AANDC will use a four part criteria to determine ​ ​ which contaminated sites needs the most attention. The criteria follows as: ● human health and safety

22 ● legal and claims obligations ● significant impacts on the environment; and ● concerns of First Nations, Inuit, northerners and other stakeholders [5]. ​ ​ In 2006, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 43, the Clean Water Act, which aims to protect existing and ​ ​ future sources of drinking water. It also aims to provide every Ontarian with access to safe drinking water [6]. ​

On November 23, 2010 the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 72, the Water Opportunities and Water ​ Conservation Act. It aims to conserve Ontario’s water through the development of new technologies and ​ services for storm water and wastewater, and to provide clean water for all citizens now and in the future [7]. ​

Party Positions

■ Ontario Liberal Party ​

In their 2018 Ontario election platform, the Ontario Liberal Party stated a commitment to the legislation that allocates $85 million for the cleanup of mercury in the Waiboogan River system. If the legislation successfully passes, these funds would be ensured for Grassy Narrows and the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, regardless of which party takes power in elections. The platform also states that the party will “work with Grassy Narrows and partners to identify all contaminated sites and develop and implement a comprehensive remediation plan to clean up mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon River system” [8]. ​ ​

■ Ontario NDP ​ ​

In their Fall 2017 Vision document, the NDP states that the party is committed to addressing the mercury contamination in the ecosystems of Grassy Narrows and the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations. The document indicates that the party would consult with the affected communities and experts to locate the source of the ongoing mercury contamination to “ensure the river is cleaned up once and for all.” The NDP also proposed the creation of a centre to study and treat Minamata disease, and thereby provide jobs at this institution for those in the Kenora area [9]. ​ ​

In their 2018 platform, the NDP re-states and re-affirms the commitments they made in the above-mentioned vision document. Furthermore, the platform states that the party will commit an additional $12 million to make retroactive payments to those who were affected by the mercury poisoning [10]. The budget outlined in the platform also sets aside $7 million over five years for the proposed ​ Mercury Treatment Centre [11]. ​ ​

■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ​

23 The Ontario 2018 PC Party election platform does not include mention of this issue, and the PC party leader, Doug Ford, has not released any official statements to address it.

■ Green Party of Ontario ​ ​ As of 2018, the webpage for the Green Party of Ontario Vision states that they party would clean up the mercury contamination in the Waiboogan River system. They also stated they would “address environmental racism” by recognizing that low-income, Indigenous and other communities are more impacted by pollution and environmental damage [12]. ​ ​

The 2018 Green Party of Ontario election platform online does not address this issue, although it does commit to developing a “sustainable water management program,” but does not specify how this will be done [13]. ​ ​ Conclusions All parties except for the PCP, which does not touch on this issue at all, have addressed this topic in their election platforms. The Ontario Liberal party has allocated funds to the cleanup of the affected Northern communities, but does not suggest any mechanisms to treat the contaminated populations, nor any for creating economic opportunities in these areas. The NDP, on the other hand, does have suggestions for remediation, compensation payment, and suggests creating employment at a Mercury Treatment Centre- but only allocates $7 million for the creation of such an institute. The Green Party is the only party which calls to attention the structural issues of environmental racism involved in the contamination of these communities, but does not detail any action plan.

UTEA recommends that the Liberal Party complement their allocation of funds to the cleanup the the water system with mechanisms to ensure the livelihoods of these communities. The NDP should offer a more realistic budget for the creation of a mercury treatment centre, and the Green Party would do well to put together an action plan on addressing this issue. The PCP should address this issue as a humanitarian crisis within our province, and offer enforceable solutions as the Liberals and the NDP have.

Sources: [1] Poisson, Jayme and Bruser, David. “Province finds mercury-contaminated soil and possibly buried metal on Dryden site upstream from Grassy Narrows.” Toronto Star. February 5, 2018. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ 2018. https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2018/02/05 ​ /province-finds-mercury-contaminated-soil-and-possibly-buried-metal-on-dryden-site-upstream-from-gra ssy-narrows.html [2] Poisson, Jayme and Bruser, David. “Mercury-tainted soil found upstream from Grassy Narrows First ​ ​ Nation.” Toronto Star. January 11, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.thestar.com/news/ ​ ​ ​ investigations/2017/01/12/mercury-tainted-soil-found-upstream-from-grassy-narrows-first-nation.html

24 [3] Leslie, Keith. “90% of Grassy Narrows residents show mercury poisoning signs: researchers.” The ​ ​ Globe and Mail. May 16, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/ ​ ​ ​ ​ national/90-of-grassy-narrows-residents-show-mercury-poisoning-signs-researchers/article31966087/ [4] http://www.cela.ca/sites/cela.ca/files/FactSheet-DrinkingWaterLegislation2012.pdf ​ ​ [5] “Fact Sheet: What is the provincial legal structure around water in Ontario?” Canadian Environmental ​ ​ Law Association. November 15, 2012. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/ ​ ​ 1100100034643/1100100034644 [6] Ministry of the Environmental and Climate Change. “Source Protection.” Government of Ontario. ​ ​ May 10, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/page/source-protection ​ [7] “Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, 2010.” Environmental Registry- Government of ​ Ontario. May 18, 2010. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/ ​ ​ displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA5NzY0&statusId=MTY0Nzkw [8] “The Ontario Liberal Plan for Care and Opportunity - Ontario Liberal Party Platform.” Ontario ​ Liberal Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://platform.ontarioliberal.ca/ full-platform-text/ ​ ​ [9] “A New Democrat Vision for Ontario.” Ontario NDP. January 19, 2018. Page: 33. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/VisionDoc-ENG-111517.pdf ​ ​ [10] “Change For The Better.” Ontario NDP. May 22, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. PDF- page: 58. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/Change-for-the-better.pdf [11] “Change For The Better.” Ontario NDP. May 22, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. PDF- page: 95. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/Change-for-the-better.pdf [12] “The Green Vision.” Green Party of Ontario. May 11, 2018. PDF version- pages: 64- 67 Accessed ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/greenvision.pdf ​ [13] “People powered change- Green Party of Ontario Platform 2018.” Green Party of Ontario. Accessed ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/our-platform/ ​ ​

6. Great Lakes Protection

Keerat Dhami

Background Information

The Great Lakes provide Ontario with fresh drinking water, recreational opportunities, sources of electricity, and numerous economic benefits, especially in the manufacturing, fishery, transportation, and agricultural sectors [1]. They contain 20% of the world’s surface freshwater, sustain over 4000 species of ​ ​ plants and animals, including humans, and supply 1 in 4 Canadians with their drinking water.

The lakes have been suffering from significant ecological stress for decades now, which has resulted in a depletion in their water quality [2]. Their stressors include tributary dams, reduced ice cover, zebra and ​ ​ quagga mussels, and phosphorus loading [3]. ​ ​

25

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for animals, plants and humans. However, an ecological balance must be maintained for phosphorus to be beneficial [4]. Human activities disrupt the ecological balance of ​ ​ phosphorus in waters and as a result, the mineral becomes a pollutant to the water, as is occuring in the Great Lakes. A 2013 map (Figure 1) produced by the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment and ​ Mapping Project illustrates the cumulative impacts of phosphorus loading across the Great Lakes [3]. ​ ​

Figure 1: Cumulative impacts of phosphorus loading across the Great Lakes

As the map shows, the concentration of phosphorus is uneven between the lakes. There is a high concentration of the mineral in Lake Erie, which has resulted in eutrophication and an excess in algae growth [4]. This pollution of Lake Erie’s waterways has lead to hypoxia, or the depletion of oxygen, and ​ ​ threatens the lakes’ species [3]. On the other hand, there is little concentration of phosphorus in lakes ​ ​ Ontario and Huron. This insufficient concentration limits the growth of algae among other aquatic life; for example, there has been a decline in the prey fish population in the lake waterways [3]. ​ ​ Existing Policy In April 1978, the governments of Canada and the United States signed the Great Lakes Water Quality ​ Agreement (GLWQA), a commitment to restore and maintain the physical, biological and chemical ​

26 integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes [5]. The Agreement includes 10 annexes, each of which focuses ​ ​ ​ on the following specific issues:

1. Areas of Concern: restoring highly contaminated sites within the Great Lakes basin ​ through the development and implementation of Remedial Action Plans; 2. Lake wide Management: improving water quality on a lake-by-lake basis; ​ 3. Chemicals of Mutual Concern: protecting human health and the environment by ​ reducing the release of chemicals of mutual concern; 4. Nutrients: implementing actions to manage phosphorus and other nutrients; ​ 5. Discharges from Vessels: preventing harmful discharges from ships and other vessels; ​ 6. Aquatic Invasive Species: preventing the introduction of new aquatic invasive species ​ and limiting the impacts of existing aquatic invasive species; 7. Habitat and Species: protecting native species and their habitat; ​ 8. Groundwater: coordinating groundwater science and management actions; ​ 9. Climate Change Impacts: coordinating efforts to understand and predict the climate ​ change impacts and proactively address these impacts; 10. Science: coordinate, integrate, synthesize, and address Great Lakes science [5]. ​ ​ ​

In 2012, the GLWQA was amended to include a timeframe of short and long-term actions including conducting further studies on chemicals, water quality and aquatic life, and for both governments to publicly publish progress reports every three years [6]. ​ ​

In April 2015, the Ontario government passed The Great Lakes Protection Act (Bill 66). This act governs the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes-St Lawrence River Basin. The purpose of Bill 66 is to: ● Protect and restore the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin; and ● Create opportunities for individuals and communities to become involved in the protection and restoration of the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St Lawrence River Basin [7]. ​ ​ Party Positions

■ Ontario Liberal Party ​ On October 20, 2017, at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Leadership Summit, Kathleen Wynne stated: “We are also making sure we balance this economic growth with responsible environmental management so we can protect the health and vitality of our waterways for future generations” [8]. ​ ​

In their 2018 election platform, the Liberal party states that they “will invest in the health of our Great Lakes and other water systems”. The party states that it intends to take the following measures: ● Invest in technologies to remove excessive algae, microplastics, road salt and toxic chemicals; ● Protect Lake Erie by continuing to work with partners to reduce phosphorous from agricultural sources and to enhance storm water and wastewater management;

27 ● Better manage the effects that population growth and development are having on Lake Ontario; and ● Enhance monitoring and research to protect the Great Lakes [9]. ​ ​

■ Ontario NDP ​

In their 2018 election platform, there is no explicit plan for the protection of the Great Lakes. The document does suggest repeatedly that the NDP will implement an Ontario Water Strategy that will prioritize planning for Ontario’s water needs, but does not detail how this will be done [10]. ​ ​

■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ​

In their 2018 election platform, there is no plan included by the PCs for the protection of the Great Lakes. The document contains one sentence stating that the PCs will “keep Ontario beautiful by protecting and preserving our waterways”, but does not explain how this will be done [11]. ​ ​

■ Green Party of Ontario ​

In their 2018 election platform, the Green Party of Ontario includes no explicit plan for the protection of the Great Lakes [12]. ​ ​

As of 2018, the webpage for the Green Party Vision includes the following action items on the Great Lakes: ● Invest in the monitoring and protection of the Great Lakes, including long-term ​ ​ funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other programs protecting the lakes; ​ ​ ● Create an action plan to fight algae in Lake Erie and to clean all Ontario lakes; and ● Cancel of plans to bury nuclear waste near the Great Lakes or major river systems. Recent examples of these include the proposed Deep Geologic Repository on the shores of Lake Huron and the Chalk River waste site near the Ottawa River [13]. ​ ​ Conclusions Although there is existing policy in place to address the conservation of the Great Lakes, most parties have not prioritized this issue for the 2018 elections. This is evidenced by the fact that only the Liberal Party has included their plan for the Great Lakes in their 2018 election platform. The Liberals have clearly committed to monitoring the Great Lakes, taking measure to manage the phosphorus and pollution issues, and investing in water technology. Neither the NDP nor the PCs have made commitments explicitly to the protection of the Great Lakes, although the NDP election platform contains numerous references to ensuring clean water. The Green Party website confirms that the party is committed to restoring and protecting the Great Lakes.

28 UTEA recommends that all parties further prioritize the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes. The NDP, the PCP, and the Green Party would all do well to create an action plan as well.

Sources: [1] Ministry of the Environmental and Climate Change. “Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy.” Government of ​ ​ Ontario. October 11, 2016. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ ​ ​ ​ ontarios-great-lakes-strategy [2] “Great Lakes Protection Overview.” Government of Canada. January 04, 2018. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ 2018. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/great-lakes-protection/ ​ overview.html [3] Walker, Nick. “Pollution in the Great Lakes.” Canadian Geographic. July 1, 2013. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ 2018. https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/pollution-great-lakes. ​ ​ [4] “Phosphorus: Sources, Forms, Impact on Water Quality.” Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. July, ​ 2007. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw3-12.pdf ​ [5] “GLWQA Annexes.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. March 2, 2018. Accessed June ​ ​ 1, 2018. https://www.epa.gov/glwqa/glwqa-annexes ​ [6] Environment and Climate Change Canada. “Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.” Government of ​ ​ Canada. October 12, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/migration/ ​ ​ main/international/eb6f1b1b-7408-48a5-a108-6295839ab42c/c12-202017-20iea-20factsheet-20glwqa-20e n-20final.pdf [7] Murray, Glen R. “41:1 Bill 66, Great Lakes Protection Act, 2015.” The Legislative Assembly of ​ Ontario. November 3, 2015. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/ ​ bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=3115&isCurrent=false&ParlSessionID=411&detailPage=bills_detail_t he_bill [8] Pearson, Craig. “Wynne, Snyder among leaders pledging to protect, promote Great Lakes.” Windsor ​ ​ Star. October 20, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/ ​ ​ wynne-snyder-among-leaders-pledging-to-protect-promote-great-lakes [9] “The Ontario Liberal Plan for Care and Opportunity - Ontario Liberal Party Platform.” Ontario ​ ​ ​ Liberal Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://platform.ontarioliberal.ca/ full-platform-text/ ​ ​ [10] “Change For The Better.” Ontario NDP. May 22, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. PDF- page: 58-59. ​ ​ ​ ​ https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/Change-for-the-better.pdf [11] “Plan For The People - Ontario PC Party”. Ontario PC Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ ​ https://www.ontariopc.ca/plan_for_the_people [12] “People powered change- Green Party of Ontario Platform 2018.” Green Party of Ontario. Accessed ​ ​ ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/our-platform/ ​ ​ [13] “The Green Vision to protect our planet”. Green Party of Ontario. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ ​ https://gpo.ca/vision/planet/#1521516482107-2e617cca-07ed

29

7. Biodiversity and Species Protection

Maddy Pratter

Background Information

Ontario is home to a biodiverse range of species— both in terms intra-species genetic variability, and numbers of species[1] — and a variety of different ecosystems ranging from forests to tundra habitats. Currently, there are over 30,000 known species inhabiting the province’s interdependent ecosystems, many of which are thousands of years old [2]. Ontario’s Greenbelt, which is over 1.8 million acres of legally protected land, contains many unique and at-risk species, and a mixture of forest, rare wetland, river valley, and grassland ecosystems [3].

These ecosystems and species are facing the threats of habitat loss, human activity, population growth, pollution, and climate change [1]. According to the status reports by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWiC), almost 90 % of all species at risk in Ontario, and 97% of those living on the Greenbelt, are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation [4]. These risk factors have the potential to negatively affect Ontario’s air quality, soil fertility, farmlands, natural resources, and production of economy-sustaining raw materials such as fibre and wood[2]. It is therefore critical that future governments have mechanisms to address these threats and protect Ontario’s biodiversity [5].

Existing Policy

In 1997, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act was passed, which sets restrictions on human activity ​ ​ pertaining to wildlife- such as hunting, fishing, and farming [6].

In 2005, the Greenbelt Act was passed, “enabl[ing] the creation of a Greenbelt Plan to protect about 1.8 ​ ​ million acres of environmentally sensitive and agricultural land in the Golden Horseshoe from urban development and sprawl [7].”

In 2005, The Ontario Biodiversity Council was formed to help implement Ontario’s first biodiversity ​ ​ strategy which lasted 10 years. There was a renewed commitment to this strategy in 2011 in honor of the decade of biodiversity [5].

In 2006, the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act was passed, to “permanently protect a ​ ​ system of provincial parks and conservation reserves that includes ecosystems that are representative of all of Ontario’s natural region [8].”

30 In 2007, the Endangered Species Act was was passed, which identifies at-risk species in Ontario, and ​ ​ provides enforcement mechanisms —such as habitat protections orders, to protect these species. [9]

In 2012, the Ontario Biodiversity Council created Biodiversity: it’s our nature, a plan to work on engaging people in the issue, reducing threats to biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and improving knowledge on the topic.[10]

On November 3, 2016, the Invasive Species Act, 2015, came into force. The Act “provides the power to ​ ​ make regulations prescribing invasive species and classifying them as either prohibited or restricted [11].”

Party Positions

■ Ontario Liberal Party ​

The Liberal 2018 election platform states the following targets to protect biodiversity in Ontario. ● Work with the federal government and key stakeholders to make progress towards achieving the Aichi biodiversity target of 17 percent of Ontario’s lands and waters, including an initial investment of $15 million to preserve our forests, wetlands and lakes ● By 2025, halt the net loss of wetland areas where wetland loss has been the greatest ● By 2030, achieve a net gain in wetland area where wetland loss has been the greatest ● Continue to grow the Greenbelt, which permanently protects over 810,000 hectares of green space, farmland, vibrant communities, forests, wetlands and watersheds. [12]

The platform also indicates that the Liberal party would “continue to grow the Greenbelt, which permanently protects over 810,000 hectares of green space, farmland, vibrant communities, forests, wetlands and watersheds, into proposed areas such as the Waterloo and Paris/Galt moraine complex, the Orangeville Moraine, the Oro Moraine, the Nottawasaga River corridor and additional catchment areas, wetlands and small moraines in Dufferin and Simcoe counties.”[12]

■ Ontario NDP ​

In their Fall 2017 Vision document, the NDP expresses they intend to “protect Ontario parks and expand access and use of green spaces and parks across Ontario while protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.” This will be accomplished by “protect[ing] the Greenbelt and protect[ing] our urban river systems while encouraging sustainable, smart growth” [8].

The NDP 2018 election platform does not mention the Greenbelt, but does state that the NDP will “will protect more of Ontario’s wild spaces, by expanding existing parks and creating new ones in consultation with First Nations. We will end the loss of provincially significant wetlands for the better, which are crucial in preventing and limiting floods, and begin to reverse it [14].”

31 ■ Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ​

The Ontario PC Party platform does not mention biodiversity protection.

In 2018, PC leader Doug Ford initially stated an intention to open up the Greenbelt land to development in, but later stated that he supported the Greenbelt [15]

■ Green Party of Ontario ​

As of 2018, in their Vision document, the Green Party states they would take the following measures to protect biodiversity. ● “Set aside a minimum of 17% of the land base in protected areas according to the internationally agreed upon Aichi biodiversity targets. ● Establish a rigorous provincial biodiversity monitoring and reporting program as an early warning system of species loss. This would include information on Ontario’s wildlife, including population trends and habitat quality, so that we can monitor the province’s biodiversity to identify and mitigate decline. ● Inventory and designate provincially significant wetlands and grasslands on an ongoing basis, and require that they be protected in municipal official plans within one year of their designation as such. ● Provide incentives for pollinator-friendly farming practices and invest in research about the economic value of wild pollinators for farmers and their crops. ● Establish an independent science advisory body on wild native pollinators to ensure that the best available science informs implementation and evaluation of the government’s Pollinator Health Action Plan. ● Ban logging and other resource extraction in all provincial parks where ecological integrity is threatened, including Algonquin Park which remains open to logging in 65% of its area. ● Establish and expand safe harbour protections to support and financially reward good stewards of our land. This would compensate farmers and residential landowners for the public good they provide in protecting endangered species and at-risk ecosystems on their property.” [16]

The document also states that the party would “Grow the Greenbelt to protect a “Bluebelt” of sensitive and significant hydrological and ecological areas where urbanization should not occur [17].”

Conclusions All parties except for the PCP have made explicit commitments to protect biodiversity, although the Green Party plan is the most elaborate, followed by the Liberals.

32 UTEA would recommend that the PCP create an action plan for this important matter and clarify their stance on Greenbelt protections, and that all parties continue to develop their actions plans for protecting biodiversity and Greenbelt space in Ontario.

Sources: [1] Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. “Conserving Biodiversity.” Government of Ontario. April ​ ​ ​ 6, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/page/conserving-biodiversity#section-2 ​ [2] “Our Biodiversity.” Ontario Biodiversity Council. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ http://ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/biodiversity/our-biodiversity/ [3] “Biodiversity in Ontario’s Greenbelt.” David Suzuki Foundation and Ontario Nature. November ​ ​ 2011. Pages: 10-13. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/greenbelt/pages/873/ ​ attachments/original/1383683762/Biodiversity_in_Ontario's_Greenbelt.pdf?1383683762 [4] “Biodiversity in Ontario’s Greenbelt.” David Suzuki Foundation and Ontario Nature. November ​ ​ 2011. Page: 15.. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/greenbelt/pages/873/ ​ attachments/original/1383683762/Biodiversity_in_Ontario's_Greenbelt.pdf?1383683762 [5] “The State of Ontario’s Biodiversity.” Ontario Biodiversity Council. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ http://ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/biodiversity/our-biodiversity/ [6] “Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.” Government of Ontario. March 8, 2018. Accessed June ​ ​ ​ 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/97f41 ​ [7] Ministry of Municipal Affairs/Ministry of Housing. “The Greenbelt Act, 2005.” Government of ​ ​ Ontario. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page195.aspx ​ ​ [8] “Provincial Parks and Conservations Reserves Act, 2006.” Government of Ontario. December 31, ​ ​ ​ 2016. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06p12 ​ [9] “Endangered Species Act, 2007.” Government of Ontario. June 30, 2008. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/07e06 [10] “Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, 2011: Protecting What Sustains Us.” Ontario Biodiversity Council. ​ ​ 2011. Accessed June 1, 2018. http://ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/ ​ Ontarios-Biodiversity-Strategy-2011-accessible.pdf [11] Ontario’s Regulatory Registry. “Regulation of invasive species under the Ontario Invasive Species ​ Act, 2015.” Government of Ontario. September 8, 2016. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=22462 [12] “The Ontario Liberal Plan for Care and Opportunity - Ontario Liberal Party Platform.” Ontario ​ Liberal Party. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://platform.ontarioliberal.ca/ full-platform-text/ ​ ​ ​ ​ [13] “A New Democrat Vision for Ontario.” Ontario NDP. January 19, 2018. Page: 24. Accessed June 1, ​ ​ ​ ​ 2018. https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/VisionDoc-ENG-111517.pdf ​ [14] “Change For The Better.” Ontario NDP. May 22, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. PDF- pages: 57-58. ​ ​ ​ ​ https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/Change-for-the-better.pdf [15] Benzie, Robert and Rushowy, Kristen. “Doug Ford assured developers he plans to open up Greenbelt ​ to housing development.” Toronto Star. April 30, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2018. https://www.thestar.com/ ​ ​ ​

33 news/queenspark/2018/04/30/doug-ford-assured-developers-he-plans-to-open-up-greenbelt-to-housing-de velopment.html [16] “The Green Vision to protect our planet”. Green Party of Ontario. Accessed June 1, 2018. ​ ​ ​ ​ https://gpo.ca/vision/planet/#1521511330307-89b6e53d-e77d [17] “The Green Vision.” Green Party of Ontario. May 11, 2018. PDF version- pages: 94-95. Accessed ​ ​ June 1, 2018. https://gpo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/greenvision.pdf ​

*Last Modified as of June 12th, 2018 ​ Original version published can be found at:

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