A quiet move buried within a recent economic statement reveals a dramatic shift in Ontario’s approach to climate change – a dismantling of the very mechanisms designed to hold the government accountable for its environmental promises.
The province is seeking to eliminate requirements for setting emissions targets and regularly updating its climate action plan, effectively erasing key components of its commitment to address global warming. This decision arrives on the heels of a damning report from the Auditor General, exposing a widening gap between stated goals and actual progress.
The Auditor General’s findings painted a stark picture: Ontario is projected to miss its emissions targets by a significant margin, a shortfall even larger than previously acknowledged. This revelation came just weeks before the province’s legal team was scheduled to defend its climate strategy in court, raising questions about the timing of this legislative change.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy insists the government remains dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but now intends to prioritize “outcomes” over measurable “targets.” Critics suggest this represents a fundamental retreat from concrete action and transparent oversight.
Legal experts believe the move is a deliberate attempt to sidestep potential constitutional challenges. By removing the mandated targets, the government aims to avoid being legally compelled to strengthen its climate commitments, according to University of Ottawa professor Nathalie Chalifour.
The development has ignited concern among youth climate advocates who have been engaged in a years-long legal battle against the province. Their lawyer, Fraser Thomson of Ecojustice, argues this action demonstrates a dangerous disregard for the escalating climate crisis and its impact on fundamental rights.
The core of the advocates’ case rests on the assertion that the province’s current plan falls drastically short of what’s needed to avert catastrophic climate change. Evidence presented suggests the revised targets could allow for millions of additional tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The Ontario Superior Court initially dismissed the challenge, but the Court of Appeal for Ontario dramatically reversed that decision last year. The Appeal Court recognized a legal obligation for the government to address climate change in a manner consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, sending the case back to a lower court.
The government’s previous actions, shortly after taking office in 2018, included dismantling the cap-and-trade system and significantly lowering the emissions reduction target. The current target of 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 is considerably less ambitious than the previous goal of 37 per cent below 1990 levels.
The Auditor General’s report also highlighted a lack of transparency, noting the environment minister had not released a progress report since 2021, and the 2022 update simply repeated the previous year’s information. This lack of accountability further fuels concerns about the government’s commitment to climate action.
While the government points to investments in transit, energy efficiency, and nuclear power, critics argue these measures are insufficient to compensate for the removal of binding targets and comprehensive planning. The upcoming court hearings in December will now take place against this backdrop of legislative change.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner condemned the move as a complete abandonment of climate leadership, stating the government is effectively signaling to the people of Ontario that it no longer prioritizes environmental protection.
