NDP Leader Howard Hampton says today’s annual report by Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner shows it’s time for the McGuinty government to take real action to address a series of deepening problems – urban sprawl, green power and consulting First Nations.

Hampton said McGuinty should listen to the Environmental Commissioner and fight urban sprawl by moving money from highway expansion into public transit.

“Does the premier agree with the Environmental Commissioner that Ontario should crack down on urban sprawl by boosting transit and cutting back highway expansions - and if so - will the premier cancel the Highway 404 expansion through the Greenbelt, and use the money we’d save for light rapid transit that would improve transit service, ease road congestion and fight climate change?” Hampton asked.

Hampton said McGuinty should heed Environmental Commissioner recommendations urging more scrutiny of the government’s electricity plan. That plan will waste
$40 billion on expensive, unreliable and risky nuclear power.

“Will the premier listen to the Environmental Commissioner – who has grave concerns about the way the government ducked proper public scrutiny of its $40-billion nuclear megascheme – and put the government’s deeply-flawed Integrated Power System Plan to a full, thorough, provincial environmental assessment?” Hampton said.

And Hampton said McGuinty must do a better job respecting First Nations.

“Will the premier act on the environmental commissioner’s concerns about the government’s failure to fulfill its constitutional duty to consult First Nations when making decisions that affect their rights – and place a moratorium on development North of the 51st parallel until the government negotiates a fair resource revenue sharing plan and land-use planning deal with First Nations – to protect the environment – and ensure First Nations share Ontario’s prosperity?” Hampton asked.