It's funny how soon we forget, but despite this very hot summer, again we've seen a relative absence of smog days in Ontario. Last year I noted a similar trend, then reminded myself of the past, wherein smog days- the disgusting brown icon on the weather network- were commonplace, Ontarians almost resigned. All the health concerns, all the potential damage to young lungs, really a crisis that became the norm.
I travel extensively through rural Ontario, and if you've done the same, you'll note the revolution occurring. Contrast what you see with last year, two years ago, and you'll be astounded how quickly the landscape is changing. I remember the novelty of seeing a swath of solar panels on a farm, today you can't travel a side road without seeing renewable energy. It really is an AMAZING development, the pace of change impressive by any measure. What is happening is no accident, it is the real world manifestation of the McGuinty Liberal policies, beyond partisan considerations, a terrific achievement.
Today, I read Suzuki warning of Hudak's back ass plan to undo all the progress, as though we all can actually believe traditional sources of energy won't result in future price hikes. A dangerous fantasy land argument that is utterly irresponsible and opportunistic. Again, travel the side roads of Ontario and you will see the absurdity of wanting to undo all the progress already achieved, it's sheer madness!
I've never been one for glad handing, particularly with leaders, sometimes we tend to give almost rock star reverence. That said, I've made one exception, wherein I proactively sought out a politician to shake his hand and offer a comment. This occurred in 2009, where I walked across a room, waited patiently, so I could tell Dalton McGuinty that I thought his Green Energy Act would be his most important contribution, a positive, progressive legacy that we wouldn't fully comprehend for some time.
If you look at how far we've come already, it is correct to say Hudak's regressive plan is "absolute insanity", as Suzuki argues. Not only is Hudak reckless, regressive and intellectually dishonest, but he puts at risk the new economy that will help sustain Ontario for the future. Hudak's plan is dangerous, his almost nonsensical commitments, just as Ontario is starting to see the theoretical plan move to the practical, it's simply staggering. Hudak spends much time on what people can afford, but if you have the slightest capacity for vision, you'll quickly see Ontario can't AFFORD Tim Hudak.
5 comments:
I hadn't noticed the non-smog day postings, given the quality of the air in general, that may well be an achievement, the loss of manufacturing plants to the recession are probably a factor too, but I too am generally very pleased on the environment file, though I don't like the massive Korean wind turbine sell-out, and I am really unhappy about his G20 record, the Harper Sales Tax is just more fiddling while Rome burns.
The Lack of Common Sense Reactionaries will of course be difficult to stop now that the media is almost entirely conservative owned and the pro Hudak spin drones on, I guess we'll see.
Hudak is recklessly opposing for the sake of opposition. For that, he is not just the opposition, he is the enemy.
Great post. Ontario stood alone at the energy ministers conference in refusing to call the Tar Sands a "sustainable and responsible" source of energy. McGuinty has also rightly suggested that if Canada is to become an energy "superpower", Canadian tax dollars should be used to support the clean energy revolution in Ontario and not just the oil and gas industry. I'm proud to be from Ontario these days.
Hudak is recklessly opposing for the sake of opposition. For that, he is not just the opposition, he is the enemy.
Well said. I can't say I've ever seen so much pandering. Even the Harper Conservatives generally stick to one or two horrible policies at a time to win votes, but Hudak has gone full metal. But the liberal media is out in full force trying to convince everyone that McGuinty has destroyed the province, including an army of economists lecturing everyone about interfering with the free market in energy, and it seems to be working a treat.
European delegates at the Canada-EU CETA negotiations were surprised to hear that Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens, who is now into wind power as well, has launched a $775-million Chapter 11 NAFTA challenge against Ontario's Green Energy Act policies.
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