In this election, we must protect Ontario, the only home we have 

For years now, we’ve seen a pattern of weakening environmental laws in Ontario. Whether it’s the Ontario Endangered Species Act or the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, there is an ongoing movement to dilute existing protections, making way for risky developments and lessening transparency for the public. This is putting not only our environment and species at risk, but also the vitality of Ontario.

As we’ve seen through the Ontario election campaign, climate change and the environment are not being regarded as a top issue of concern for voters. During the May 16 debate, only about 10 of the 90 minutes were spent discussing the environment. With the constant reports warning us that without drastic measures we are headed towards irreparable environmental disaster — “A code red for humanity” as put by the UN secretary general — it’s alarming this is not being focused on more in this campaign.

We know the cost of living and affordable housing are top priorities for Ontarians. According to a recent study done by Abacus, half of Ontarians surveyed rated reducing the cost of living as their top issue. But we have seen the province prioritize building housing with a high impact on ecosystems that isn’t even affordable to those who need it most.

Affordable housing strategies must prioritize the creation and protection of co-operative housing, low-income and affordable housing, and accessible communities.

What’s missing from the conversations this campaign is the connection between the issues of housing and environmental protection. Solutions to address the lack of affordable housing must also prioritize climate solutions and biodiversity if they are to really provide people with stable and just futures. It is not enough to promise watered down “affordable housing” — Ontario must build in a way that has a low impact on the surrounding natural environment and ensures a healthy living space for those being housed.

Why aren’t we doing more to protect our home? We know we need nature for our collective survival, yet current policy does not reflect this fact. What we are looking for in this election are real commitments to act on affordable housing and environmental protection that reinforce each other.

What we’ve seen so far just isn’t enough. Which begs the question: What is the future of this province? What kind of home do we want to create and protect for ourselves and for nature?

Will we continue down a path of destroying our environment, failing to recognize that all life, including humans, depend on Mother Earth and nature for everything — from our basic needs to our livelihoods and security? Or will we finally see leadership that actively addresses the issues so many have been calling for?

This election poses an opportunity for politicians to take real action against the climate crisis and start prioritizing people and the environment. It is not too late to make these changes.

We want people to ask candidates to step up on key issues during this election. The real power is held by Ontarians. So when candidates come to your door or call you asking for their support, be sure to ask them:

• Will you commit to banning the burning of plastic? And set high standards for reuse and recycling that would require refilling or recycling 90 per cent of beverage containers?

• Will you cancel both Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass projects? And maintain the cancellation of the Mid-Peninsula Highway?

• Will you commit to fully funding affordable co-op housing to support livable cities and social equity?

• Will you develop and adopt a Rights of Nature Legislation that recognizes Mother Earth’s inherent right to flourish independent of the value people place on it? Will you secure the highest legal protection for Mother Earth through the recognition of nature’s rights and associated human rights?

These are just some of the questions we are calling on people to ask their candidates, and you can find them all here.

This election is crucial for environmental issues in Ontario. We are at a tipping point for the environment, both nationally and globally.

Floods, droughts, fires, natural disasters — there is no shortage of threats looming over us if we don’t start making changes now. With climate change statistically impacting Black, Indigenous and racialized communities more severely — and more rapidly — this is not only an environmental issue, but a human rights issue.

The decisions made during this election will impact the next several decades for Ontario. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has indicated that GHG emissions need to start a downward trajectory by 2025 to keep us within 1.5 C of warming. The MPPs who make up the next provincial government will be leading during a critical moment in history, one that will either see us turn the corner on climate change or make the issue far worse.

Yet despite these harrowing facts, we’re left wondering — why aren’t we all recognizing this as a crisis that needs urgent action?

While scientists, environmentalists, activists and youth alike are screaming for the government to do something, we are instead being met with false promises, delayed action and a devolution of environmental laws.

Burning plastic is not a “green” alternative or a solution to the plastic crisis. Highways do not stop gridlock. Fracked gas and nuclear power are polluting and expensive energy sources when compared to renewables like wind and solar. And yet, these are the “solutions” that are being proposed.

It’s clear more needs to be said and done by our leaders if we want to start tackling the climate crisis.

This election, we are voting for the future we want to see for Ontario.

Lucy Bain is the Ontario chapter co-ordinator for the Sierra Club Canada Foundation and leads its Problem with Plastics Project, which promotes strong action on plastic pollution and a circular economy approach. She lives in Toronto.

With an academic background in marine biology, Gretchen Fitzgerald became Atlantic chapter director in 2007 and transitioned to national program director in 2016. She led the campaign to successfully stop oil and gas development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and secured provincial commitments to ban uranium mining in Nova Scotia. Her passions include her daughter, getting out in the garden and seeing people use their power to bring about change.