MPP Arnott again urges Government to commit to Ontario Green Legacy – Speech

MPP Arnott again urges Government to commit to Ontario
Green Legacy

Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills

Text of Mr. Arnott’s statement in the Ontario Legislature, May 5, 2016

Mr. Speaker, last fall this House unanimously passed our resolution calling on the Government to
establish an Ontario Green Legacy Programme.

This programme, based on the County of Wellington’s Green Legacy Programme, would seek to plant
the 150 million trees, starting in 2017 to mark the 150 anniversary of Ontario within Confederation.

Last month, I organized and hosted a meeting in my office with senior Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry staff, including Deputy Minister Bill Thornton, as well as Gary Cousins, Mark Van Patter, and Rob Johnson from the County of Wellington.

The meeting was productive and gave us the opportunity to discuss our Green Legacy Programme idea,
and make the case for a significant expansion of Ontario’s tree planting efforts.

It has now been more than 6 months since my resolution was passed and 2017 is rapidly approaching.
We need the Government to make a public commitment to implement our Ontario Green Legacy
programme proposal.

Again, our resolution was passed unanimously by this House, with Members from all parties speaking in
favour.

If Private Member’s Business is to be meaningful, the Government needs listen to the will of this House,
not ignore it.

We know the Government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and they say they want
to combat climate change. Again, I would suggest that an Ontario Green Legacy programme could and
should be part of this strategy.

This is doable. We can harness the volunteer spirit of Ontarians and their noble desire to confront the
climate change challenge head-on.

I once again call upon the Government to commit to establishing an Ontario Green Legacy Programme
and immediately begin the work needed to launch this programme next year.

View the Press Release here