Session: 38:2
Date: 8-May-2007

CLIMATE CHANGE

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): I'm pleased to respond to the statement by the Minister of the Environment, but what this announcement really is is just another Liberal re-announcement. Another day, another photo opportunity.

We're pleased that after four years of inaction, the McGuinty Liberals have finally decided to adopt the policy ideas set forth by our leader, John Tory, who has clearly said that government needs to lead by example. Well, what do you know, this morning the Minister of the Environment told the people of Ontario that the government should be leading by example to clean up Ontario's air. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

But let's be clear. We all remember in 2003 when Dalton McGuinty stood on stage, waved that big, red book of broken promises and told the people of Ontario that he would lead by example by closing the coal plants in 2007. It was Dalton McGuinty himself who stated that he would clean up the dirty air that contributes to 1,800 premature deaths and $1 billion in health care costs. So far, the McGuinty government's idea of leading by example is to break this ill-advised coal-closing promise not once, but over and over again.

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The coal plants Dalton McGuinty promised to close are still spewing the same dirty air that he promised to clean up. The new technologies that could help us make a real difference in the quality of the air we breathe remain a prisoner of Dalton McGuinty's coal fiction. John Tory and the PC caucus fully support the goal of reducing energy consumption and the government's taking the lead to fight for climate change in Ontario. We presented a comprehensive plan with real action and real targets, but in four years, Dalton McGuinty has not presented a climate change plan-no targets, no vision. What Dalton McGuinty does have is scandals of Gomery proportions and a refusal to be straight with Ontarians.