QUEEN’S PARK – MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to Ontario’s ongoing wildfires:
“As wildfires continue to blanket Northwestern Ontario, now is the time for Ontario to take big and bold action to protect our communities from the costs of the climate crisis.
I’m grateful to everyone who has stepped up over the past several weeks to manage our emergency response measures and get evacuees to safety.
We need to increase our wildfire preparedness and response budgets, absolutely, and I continue to call on the government to properly fund these programs before the fires begin.
But I’m also calling on the Premier to look at the bigger picture.
Climate change is making our forest fire season more dangerous every year. It’s levelling entire communities, disproportionately harming First Nations and rural communities. All of us suffer from toxic air pollution and the costs to our economy and healthcare.
Instead of helping people save money and reduce climate pollution, this government continues with the same song and dance—propping up pipelines, gas plants and oil refineries while our province burns.
Our communities can’t afford more smoky skies and polluted air. We need clean, affordable energy that puts people before profits for oil and gas executives.
No more pipelines on a burning planet.”