Rod Phillips

Doug Ford's government says that newly-proposed climate change policies are aiming to simplify rules for businesses so that they can focus on reducing carbon pollution, instead of being swamped in red tape.

The Doug Ford government began a 45-day public consultation period (as required by the Environmental Bill of Rights) to improve the "effectiveness" of environmental protections and find a "balanced approach" to boost the environment and economy.

“It would’ve been very different if I had been premier of Ontario,” Patrick Brown told National Observer in an interview. “I would have been a conservative partner with the federal government, trying to combat climate change.”

“I’m outraged and heartbroken,” Dianne Saxe, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, said in an interview. “What a way to mark the 25th anniversary of the Environmental Bill of Rights, but to silence the commissioner and restrict the rights of the public. The government is saying to people, you can can trust us. They say they're going to police themselves. Now, when has that ever worked?”