Ontario Liberal Party releases its election platform

On 3 May 2022, the Ontario Liberal Party released its Plan to Protect the Environment as part of its platform for the upcoming provincial election. 

The plan outlines the party’s vision for tackling climate change and reducing emissions in Ontario in part by broadly supporting clean energy, including nuclear and green hydrogen, to replace natural gas. The plan would also renew the Ontario Electricity Rebate.

The plan also focuses on the transportation sector, including strong support for electric vehicle (EV) Chargers and carbon taxes. The platform is likely to appeal specifically to urban ridings in Toronto and the GTAby promoting increased transit ridership and cycling and encouraging fewer cars on the roads. 

Other highlights from the plan include: 

• A goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and net-zero by 2050 
• Make the Ontario government net-zero by 2030 by reducing emissions from public service infrastructure and procurement (e.g., Ontario-made clean tech and issuing more green bonds)
• Support clean energy, including nuclear and Indigenous and northern projects
•  Pursue green hydrogen generation, transportation, storage and fuel switching for businesses 
• Renew the Ontario Electricity Rebate
• Speed up the phase-out of natural gas and ban new natural gas
• Cut public transit fares to $1 until Jan 2024 
• Strengthen industrial Emissions Performance Standards (EPS)
• Provide up to $9,500 in rebates on non-luxury EVs and vehicle charging equipment
• Provide grants and interest-free loans to retrofit buildings and homes and update energy-efficiency and sustainability standards in the Ontario Building Code for all new buildings and renovations 
• $9 billion toward creating 25,000 new green jobs 
• Increase funding for cyclists, including separated bike lanes and trails, bike sharing and parking 
• Plant 800 million trees over 8 years as part of the federal plan to plant 2 billion trees