Green Economy Canada calls on the Ontario Government to restore $2.3M investment in small business focused climate action

In a Pre-budget Submission to the Ontario legislature’s standing committee, Green Economy Canada has emphasized the need to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, particularly for Ontario’s small and medium business (SME) community. An efficient, effective program was established with $1M in provincial funding to increase the number of SMEs setting and achieving greenhouse gas. Green Economy Canada is calling for $2.3M in continued funding, previously approved by the province, to be continued to support robust business growth in a period of climate action.

Read the full Submission Here

Summary:

The Provincial Government’s Made in Ontario Environment Plan calls for a 17.6MT reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This target is challenging to reach based on the existing programs and projections. We urge the Ontario Government to increase its investments in GHG-focused environmental initiatives, particularly in programming to support the small- and medium-sized business community with emissions reductions.

Green Economy Hubs are a proven and effective model for supporting businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Community-based and business-focused, these voluntary programs are building Ontario’s low-carbon economy . Accelerating the work of these Hubs by restoring a $2.3M budget investment that was established in 2018 will give Ontario businesses the local support they need to reduce their emissions and become more economically competitive.

We would also like to advocate for increased funding to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which has been a key driver of community- based environmental innovations. Restoring the funding to the 2018 level will activate more innovative projects to support the goals of the Made-In-Ontario Environment Plan.