Session: 39:1
Date: 4-Dec-2007

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Ms. Laurie Scott: This morning the Environmental Commissioner released his annual report and delivered yet another lump of coal to Dalton McGuinty and his "all talk and no action" environmental record. Unfortunately, what the Environmental Commissioner reported was not news to this side of the House. The Liberals have no real plan to manage growth in Ontario, nor do they take the challenge seriously.

The report indicates that the Liberal government needs to step back and rethink its strategy. So far, the Liberal strategy is twofold: "Don't worry, be happy," and "Don't worry, blame someone else." When faced with the serious questions about the environmental impact that his poor plans have thrust upon the province, the Minister of Public Infrastructure makes an embarrassing attempt to blame the federal government once again.

The minister is quoted in the Globe and Mail saying, "The federal government are the ones who decide what the immigration levels are." We aren't sure if the minister is also trying to blame new Canadians for his failings, but we are aware of the strategy of saying, "This is everyone's fault but mine."

Today's report showed we need real action to address challenges in urban growth in Ontario. That means getting on with more transit and more energy. It means funding our infrastructure properly so that we don't have wooden pipes in Toronto, and firefighters in Kingston don't have to colour-code their fire hydrants based on the deterioration of the pipes that lead to them. It means having the courage to respond to the aging water and waste water infrastructure in this province. It means taking responsibility for the challenges that come with being government.

It's time to stop the blame game. Take the Environmental Commissioner's recommendations seriously.