Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumFord's Ontario Govt Wants You To Believe They Care About Environmental Issues, So Here's Some Guy
David Piccini wants you to trust him. The dapper first-term MPP has spent his six months as Ontarios environment minister parrying blows left and right over unpopular decisions made by Doug Fords government in areas such as development and clean energy. In another few months, hell be doing his best to win over voters for whom climate matters more than ever. Its not a simple task. In recent memory, conservative strategists have approached the environment as a shield issue an area where Tories cant easily win, but must be able to mount a credible defence if they want a path to victory. Piccini wants to make it a sword issue instead, one the Progressive Conservatives can wield to beat their opponents.
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That might explain why Premier Ford chose Piccini to take on one of his governments weakest portfolios with responsibilities like cutting emissions and protecting endangered species, both areas where Ontarios auditor general just gave the Tories a failing grade at a moment where climate has taken on added importance. After a year of extreme weather and wildfires, Ontarians are almost as worried about climate change as they are about inflation and COVID-19, according to a Nanos/CTV poll of 1,010 Canadians published in December 2021.
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Critics, however, question whether that enthusiasm and acumen will translate into real progress within a government that has so far focused on environmental deregulation over preservation. And Piccini consistently maintains that a crucial plank of his strategy is balancing environmental concerns with the economic considerations of emitting industries. Its very hard to see how the government is going to fix its reputation without acknowledging that the initiatives that it took over the first three years were a mistake, says Phil Pothen, Ontario programs manager at Environmental Defence. He points to the provinces weakening of conservation authorities, and the numerous permits it has issued to companies seeking to build on endangered species habitat. I hope its true (that Piccini) has at least some personal inclination to try and do the right thing
To be frank, were not aware of any initiatives that are at all that positive, Pothen says.
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At the same time, Piccini stands by the Ford governments heavily-criticized approach to development, which the province has sped up using special zoning orders that often override environmental concerns. Our record speaks for itself in facts in terms of what were doing, he says. He also defends his governments plans to fast-track two highways through Ontarios Greenbelt, which critics say would tear up green space and set the stage for emissions increases. To just say were never going to build roads again, I mean, what a cop out, he says. Lets build it, but lets work with the pavement industry, excavating. Lets look at adding renewables. I dont think you can look at the environment in isolation. Its not clear whether Piccinis approach will bear fruit, or whether it will do so quickly enough. In November 2021, Ontarios auditor general found the Ford government is on track to deliver just a fifth of the emissions reductions it promised in its climate plan.
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https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-environment-minister-david-piccini/