MEDIA RELEASE: Ontario’s Climate Accountability on the Chopping Block

Ontario’s Climate Accountability on the Chopping Block

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada urges public opposition to Ford Government’s proposal to repeal statutory climate targets and planning requirements

For Immediate Release: November 7, 2025

SUDBURY, ON in Robinson Huron Treaty Territory — Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada (CCL Canada) is warning Ontarians about the Ford Government’s proposal to repeal Sections 3–5 of the Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018, the rules that require the province to set greenhouse gas reduction targets, make a climate plan, and report progress publicly.

The proposed repeal, quietly tucked into the Fall Economic Statement, would remove Ontario’s only legal obligation to measure and report its climate performance.

“Ontario cannot deliver real results without a clear plan. Targets without follow-through are empty promises, and chasing results without a plan is like driving blind,” said Cathy Orlando, National Director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada. “We need both clear goals and honest reporting to keep the government accountable, protect our communities, and make sure climate action doesn’t cost families and businesses more in the long run.”

The timing is critical. Just weeks ago, the Auditor General reported that the province is set to miss its climate targets by an even wider margin than previously reported. The government’s lawyers are also scheduled to defend the plan in court soon.

If passed, the repeal would eliminate Ontario’s legal framework for tracking emissions, making it harder to hold the government accountable. It would also undermine transparency, long-term planning, and confidence in clean energy investments — leaving families and businesses to shoulder higher costs in the future.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada calls on Ontarians, opposition parties, and civil society to speak out against this rollback. Accountability and transparency are not red tape, they are the foundation of democracy and effective climate action.

Background & Key Links:

• Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018 (S.O. 2018, c. 13): https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/18c13
• Ontario Fall Economic Statement 2025 (Annex): https://budget.ontario.ca/2025/fallstatement/annex.html
• 2025 Auditor General Report on GHG reductions: https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/specialreports/specialreports/en25/AR-PA_PtoRGGE_en25.pdf

Recent examples of obstruction on renewable energy by the Ford Government: 

• Opposition to the Federal Clean Electricity Regulations (December 2024)
  https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/12/02/the-ontario-governments-attack-on-the-federal-clean-electricity-regulations-is-hurting-ontarians-while-slowing-down-canadas-climate-efforts/
• IESO, “Evaluating Procurement Options for Supply Adequacy” (December 11, 2023),
  https://www.ieso.ca/-/media/Files/IESO/Document-Library/resource-eligibility/Evaluating-Procurement-Options
  -For-Supply-Adequacy.ashx
• RBC Climate Action Institute, “Power Shift: How Ontario Can Cut Its $450-Billion Electricity Bill,
  https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/wp-content/uploads/Power-Shift-Report-EN-1.pdf
• The Atmospheric Fund, “Closing the Gap – Electricity Solutions Toolbox
  https://taf.ca/custom/uploads/2023/03/Closing-the-Gap-Electricity-Solutions-Toolbox-.pdf

Media Contact:
Cathy Orlando, National Director
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada
cathy@citizensclimate.org | 705-929-4043

#####