Feb. 14, 2025 — BurlingtonGreen
This Ontario election is being defined by new parameters to many ongoing challenges. Tariff threats and political uncertainty are amplifying concerns about self-sufficiency and what a healthy, future-proof economy looks like. We know that stronger environmental protections and the further advancement of green initiatives are essential to sustain a healthy economy and to address the rising implications of climate change and biodiversity loss. It’s imperative that the next Provincial government prioritize the protection of nature while investing in a more climate-resilient future benefiting the economy and all Ontarians.
Canadians state that their biggest obstacle to support for climate action is the potential for a negative impact on jobs and the economy. (1) BurlingtonGreen believes that making environmental and climate concerns a top priority is in fact critical to ensuring a healthy, vibrant, future-proof local and provincial economy. For example, when Ontario phased out coal-powered plants, we increased our renewable energy production in compensation. Ontario’s power grid is now one-third renewables and over 90% emission-free. (2) This enables us to meet our own energy demands locally, and also provide a highly-valuable export, in a climate-positive way.
For a more local example, Ontario’s Greenbelt has nearly 5,000 farms creating local crops; although only 6% of Ontario’s farmland, the Greenbelt produces over 50% of our local fruit. (3) The protection of local food sources, the maintenance of farms and jobs, the advantages of self-sufficiency and reduced transit times to urban centres, all make economic sense. This is in addition to the Greenbelt’s incalculable benefits in wetland and forest preservation, water management, species protection, etc. Ontarians know and value our Greenbelt. We engaged in strong protests to overturn the decision to remove Greenbelt land for housing development in November 2022.
What will the future look like for Burlington and Ontario? Who will provide the leadership that recognizes and consistently acts on the interconnectedness of a healthy environment and economy? To help inform the community of where Burlington candidates stand on key environment-focused issues, non-partisan BurlingtonGreen has invited all local candidates to respond to their brief questionnaire comprised of questions pertaining to the protection of the Greenbelt, quarry legislation, the construction of Highway 413, and more. All responses received will be posted to their website by February 24. Visit www.burlingtongreen.org to learn more.
