McKenna, Ontario continue to joust over provincial climate plans

Ontario's environment minister is firing back at his federal counterpart after comments she made on CBC and in a letter addressed to Minister Rod Phillips earlier this week. 

The remarks made by federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna criticize Ontario's new Progressive Conservative government's decision to end the province's cap and trade program. 

McKenna told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo that scrapping Kathleen Wynne's cap and trade program is "really disappointing" and will have serious consequences for the province's emissions. 

"The Ontario government is going to add the equivalent of 48-megatonnes of emissions, which is like re-opening 15 coal-fired plants," McKenna told The Morning Edition host Craig Norris on Thursday. 

Ontario has carbon plan, says minister

When asked by the CBC for a response to those comments, Phillips's staff replied with a letter addressed to Minister McKenna — a response to a letter McKenna sent to Phillips on Aug. 29. 

We understand that climate change is real...collectively, we must take action."- Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

In the letter, McKenna questioned the province's commitment to addressing climate change in her letter and made specific reference to the 48-megatonnes of emissions cited to Norris on Thursday.

"Your letter suggests our government's elimination of cap and trade will significantly increase carbon pollution. I reject that assertion outright, as it suggests Ontario will have no plan going forward, which is not the case," wrote Phillips.

"We understand that climate change is real, that human beings have an impact on the climate and that, collectively, we must take action."

On July 25, the provincial government introduced legislation to eliminate carbon pricing. At the time, it said the move would stimulate the economy and save an average Ontario family $260 per year.

On Aug. 2 Ontario announced it would launch a legal battle against the federal government for its threats of imposing a carbon tax, in absence Ontario's own carbon pricing plan. 

"In addition to saving families money, the elimination of the cap and trade carbon tax will remove a cost burden from Ontario businesses, allowing them to grow, create jobs and compete around the world," said a news release from the provincial Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. 

Not environment versus economy

On Thursday, McKenna said it's not an either-or choice between the economy and the environment. 

"We can do both. We can take action and we can also grow the economy. We can save money by reusing, by being more efficient."

McKenna was in Waterloo region and Guelph, Ont. Thursday to meet about sustainability, developing clean technologies and reducing non-recyclable plastic waste. 

She cited research at the University of Guelph on developing a biodegradable single-use coffee pod, and noted efforts by the mayors of Kitchener and Waterloo.

"They have a great plan, they're saving money. And that's money you can re-invest in the residents of this area."