Our solutions acknowledge the interdependence of the economy and the environment.

1. Climate Change

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It not only threatens to change our way of life, but is expected to cause mass species extinction and human suffering on a global scale. By encouraging personal action, as well as setting in place government regulations, market mechanisms and incentives, the Green Party of Ontario will do its part to dramatically reduce greenhouse gases and begin turning back the clock on climate change.

2. Energy

Ontario’s energy supply has been marred by years of fiscal mismanagement and short-term thinking. The Green Party intends to correct these mistakes by taking Ontario in a new, green energy direction that focuses on reducing demand rather than increasing supply. Instead of squandering billions of tax dollars on expensive, heavily subsidized nuclear energy, or allowing coal-fired plants to continue to pollute the air we breathe, the Green Party believes Ontario can build a sustainable energy future through a combination of conservation, efficiency and renewable energy programs.

3. Electoral Reform

Ontario’s voters deserve better representation at Queen’s Park. Our current first-past-the-post voting system does not reflect the political will of all voters because it discounts the votes of everyone who did not vote for a winning candidate. A Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system will create a stronger democracy with more choice, fairer election results and better representation for all citizens. MMP has already been used successfully in several countries, including Germany, Scotland and New Zealand, where it has produced stable and effective governments.

4. Education

Education is society’s great equalizer. The Green Party of Ontario advocates a move toward a single, publicly funded school system that offers all children the same opportunity to learn together, in English or French, in an inclusive and supportive environment. Eliminating the duplication and inefficiencies in the current school model will allow us to direct resources where they are needed most: in the classroom. We want tomorrow’s adults to develop all the tools they need to succeed and prosper, along with core values of tolerance and understanding.

5. Health

Ontario’s current approach to medical care is unsustainable and can’t be fixed simply by spending more tax dollars. Instead of being a health care system, it is actually a sick care system that focuses on treating illness rather than trying to prevent it. The Green Party of Ontario will improve the efficiency of health care spending by diverting more resources into health promotion and into disease and accident prevention. Safe drinking water and clean air must be viewed as basic rights, and good nutrition, exercise and strong social supports should be treated as essential to our well-being

6. Local Sustainability

The push toward globalization has caused unnecessary economic and social hardship for many people in our local communities. The Green Party of Ontario believes we can restore the health and vitality of our communities by supporting each other through simple everyday actions: by buying locally produced food and other goods; by walking, cycling or riding public transit instead of driving short distances; by working in the communities where we live; and by conserving energy and resources wherever possible. By working together in our local communities, we can make a difference.