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Carla Johnson – Green Party of Ontario

1.     How will you prioritize the most vulnerable members of our community in adapting to and mitigating climate change? What policies will you put forward to ensure that all community members are supported equitably?
The Green Party of Ontario (GPO) recognizes that climate change does not affect everyone equally. The most vulnerable members of our communities—those already facing financial, social, and health-related challenges—will bear the heaviest burden while having the least ability to adapt.
Right now, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides a maximum monthly payment of just $1,368, while Ontario Works (OW) offers only $731 per month. Meanwhile, the average cost of rent in Ontario has soared to $1,600 per month—far beyond what these inadequate support programs provide. No one should have to choose between paying rent, buying food, or covering basic necessities.
That’s why the Green Party of Ontario is calling for an immediate doubling of both ODSP and OW payments and ensuring these amounts are permanently tied to inflation so they keep pace with the rising cost of living.
Successive governments—both Conservative and Liberal—have failed to invest in preparing Ontario for the realities of climate change. The GPO would take immediate action to fund climate adaptation and preparedness programs, prioritizing support for lower-income Ontarians. This includes:

Making housing more accessible and affordable
Increasing funding and subsidies for public transit
Investing in community resilience programs to protect vulnerable populations
We believe in a future where no one is left behind. It’s time to build a more just, resilient, and sustainable Ontario—one where everyone has the support they need to thrive in the face of climate change.

2.     Given that nearly half of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions are the result of transportation, what actions will you take to support your constituents and businesses alike, to reduce emissions related to how we move within and out of the region?
The Green Party of Ontario (GPO) is leading the charge in building a cleaner, more sustainable future by championing the transition to a carbon-neutral economy and promoting environmentally friendly transportation solutions. While other parties continue to invest in outdated, high-emission infrastructure, the GPO is committed to bold, forward-thinking policies that will make Ontario a leader in the fight against climate change.
Scrapping Highway 413: Investing in Smarter Solutions
The first step in reducing emissions and building a greener transportation network is halting the disastrous Highway 413 project—a costly, inefficient, and environmentally destructive plan that does nothing to alleviate congestion. This “highway to nowhere” will only encourage more cars on the road, leading to increased traffic and higher emissions, all while paving over 2,000 acres of farmland, forests, and wetlands. Instead of wasting billions on this climate disaster, the GPO would redirect funding toward projects that actually improve transportation for Ontarians—such as expanding public transit and creating climate-resilient infrastructure.
Expanding & Improving Public Transit
For years, Ontarians have been promised two-way, all-day GO train service, yet the current government has failed to deliver anything but empty rhetoric. The GPO is holding them accountable and pushing for real action to make this essential transit link a reality. Expanding and electrifying the GO system will reduce gridlock, cut emissions, and give commuters better, faster, and cleaner options.
But trains alone aren’t enough—we need a fully integrated transit system that is fast, frequent, convenient, and affordable. That means better local bus services, expanded LRT networks, and investments in active transportation corridors that make sustainable transit the easiest and most appealing choice for Ontarians.
Making Public Transit GREAT Again
Public transit needs to be clean, convenient, fast, frequent, affordable, and accessible. Without making transit a genuinely attractive alternative to driving, Ontario will fail to meet its climate goals. The GPO is committed to policies that:
Lower fares to make transit more affordable for everyone
Expand service hours and routes to improve convenience
Electrify buses and trains to reduce emissions
Enhance accessibility so transit serves all Ontarians, including those with disabilities
Ending Doug Ford’s War on Bike Lanes
Ontario needs livable, walkable, bike-friendly communities—not urban sprawl and car dependency. Yet Doug Ford’s government has actively worked against cycling infrastructure, removing bike lanes and discouraging safe, sustainable transportation. The GPO would reverse this damage by:
Expanding protected bike lanes across cities and towns
Investing in complete streets where pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users are prioritized
Supporting Community Hubs, where daily needs are within a short walk or bike ride
Building safer, more accessible communities isn’t just good for the environment—it’s good for people’s health, finances, and quality of life.
Supercharging Ontario’s EV Transition
While electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining momentum, Ontario’s charging infrastructure remains years behind where it needs to be. The GPO would immediately invest in a province-wide charging network, ensuring that charging stations are accessible, convenient, and widely available in:
Public parking lots
Transit stations
Highway rest stops
Residential areas and homes
By supporting EV adoption alongside expanded public transit and active transportation, the GPO is committed to building a modern, sustainable transportation network that meets the needs of today—while protecting the future for generations to come.
A Future We Can All Move Towards
The current government’s approach to transportation is stuck in the past, prioritizing car dependency, urban sprawl, and reckless spending on projects like Highway 413. The GPO offers a better path forward—one that invests in clean, efficient, and people-friendly transportation solutions. It’s time for Ontario to move toward a greener, healthier, and more connected future.
The GPO is ready to lead the way.

3.     The second highest contributor of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. What actions will you take to support your constituents, residents and businesses alike, to reduce emissions from how we build and operate our spaces, and how we move within and out of the region?
The current Conservative government has gutted funding for energy efficiency programs, setting Ontario back in the fight against climate change while increasing costs for homeowners and businesses. By cutting these vital programs, they have not only undermined efforts to reduce emissions but have also cost Ontarians thousands of good-paying jobs in the clean energy and construction sectors.
Bringing Back Energy Efficiency Incentives & Creating Jobs
The Ontario Greens are calling for the immediate reinstatement and expansion of energy efficiency incentives, ensuring that households, businesses, and municipalities have the support they need to lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. Our plan will:
Retrofit 40% of existing homes and workplaces to net-zero by 2030, and 100% by 2040
Create hundreds of thousands of well-paying, sustainable jobs in skilled trades, construction, and green technology
Reduce energy bills for families and businesses, making homes and workplaces healthier, more comfortable, and more affordable
Investing in deep retrofits, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and better insulation will cut emissions, boost local economies, and improve Ontarians’ quality of life—a win-win for people and the planet.
Building Climate-Resilient Communities
The climate crisis is already here. Ontario is experiencing more extreme weather, flooding, wildfires, and heatwaves—yet the current government continues to ignore the urgent need for climate adaptation and resilience.
That’s why the Ontario Greens will establish an $8 billion Climate Adaptation Fund, giving municipalities the resources they need to:
Build green, climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand extreme weather
Upgrade stormwater and flood prevention systems to protect homes and businesses
Invest in natural solutions, such as tree planting and green roofs, to cool cities and improve air quality
Ontario cannot afford to sit back and wait. We must act now to protect our communities and economy from the escalating costs of climate change.
Restoring Fair Funding for Public Transit
Public transit is the backbone of a clean, efficient transportation system—but years of provincial underfunding have left many transit systems struggling with service cuts, fare hikes, and overcrowding.
The Ontario Greens will restore the 50% provincial cost share for transit operations, ensuring that local transit agencies have the funding needed to:
Expand and improve service, so transit is more reliable, frequent, and accessible
Keep fares affordable, reducing financial barriers for riders
Transition to fully electric buses and trains, cutting emissions and improving air quality
Restoring transit funding is essential for reducing traffic congestion, cutting emissions, and making cities and towns more livable. A well-funded public transit system benefits everyone—commuters, businesses, and the environment.
The Ontario Greens: The Only Party with a Real Climate Plan
Unlike the other parties, the Ontario Greens understand that climate action isn’t just about the environment—it’s about housing, health care, jobs, and the economy. Our solutions tackle these issues together, creating a sustainable, affordable, and prosperous future for all Ontarians.
It’s time for bold leadership. It’s time to build a greener, more resilient, and more equitable Ontario.
The Ontario Greens are ready to lead the way.

Aislinn Clancy – Green Party of Ontario

1. How will you prioritize the most vulnerable members of our community in adapting to and mitigating climate change? What policies will you put forward to ensure that all community members are supported equitably?

Ontario Greens have a range of policies to support vulnerably populations in Ontario, including phasing in a Basic Income, and, at a minimum, doubling Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) rates.
In addition, we adopt a Housing First model to ensure that stable, permanent housing solutions are the first priority when helping those in need. 
Beyond ensuring that community services and supports are available, we see our approach to the climate crisis as critical in easing the burden on our most vulnerable. When we address emissions broadly, the burden on the most vulnerable will be lessened too.
Here’s just a few things we aim to do to address the climate crisis that we expect will have broad effects across society.
We would implement a predictable, multi year-fund for municipalities to build climate-resilient infrastructure.
We will establish a free heat pump program for households with incomes under $100,000 and will provide zero interest loans for households over $100,000.
We will implement a $10,000 grant and upfront zero interest loan programs for energy efficiency building retrofits for households with incomes under $100,000.
We see these measures as critical for addressing emissions targets, advancing the $2 trillion global green economy, and ultimately easing the burden of mitigation efforts on our most vulnerable.

2. Given that nearly half of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions are the result of transportation, what actions will you take to support your constituents and businesses alike, to reduce emissions related to how we move within and out of the region?
Ontario Greens are committed to increasing the availability of affordable and accessible active, and public transit options, because we believe people should have a range of choices in the way they get around, instead of being locked into expensive commutes.
As just some of the things we will do to promote cleaner transit:

• We will expand all-day, 2-way GO service to leave every 15 minutes during peak periods and every 30 minutes off peak, including weekend service. Offer at least one express service each way during weekday peak periods.
• We will establish a clean, affordable, accessible intercity electric bus service to connect communities across the province, ensuring connections in small, rural communities and dedicated bus lanes.
• We will expand the EV charging network across the province and increase supply of EVs in Ontario by establishing a provincial Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standard  and offering rebates for new and used EVs and electric bikes.
• And we will create a predictable, annual Infrastructure fund for safe walking, cycling and accessible mobility devices for municipalities as well as stop the province from interfering with municipal transit plans like bike lanes.

3. The second highest contributor of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. What actions will you take to support your constituents, residents and businesses alike, to reduce emissions from how we build and operate our spaces, and how we move within and out of the region?
 As you well know, the climate crisis is a massive threat to our health and well-being that needs an ambitious and multifaceted approach. But it is also an opportunity to create hundreds of thousands of good, green jobs and investment as part of the $2 trillion global clean economy. Do both achieve our net-zero targets, and situate Ontario as part of the clean energy economy, we have an ambitious plan that includes energy conservation through retrofitting our buildings, manufacturing EVs, and creating low-carbon products and technologies. Ontario has the innovative businesses, natural resources, geography, and workforce to be a leader in the clean economy and create new jobs in your community.
Here’s just some of the things we will do:

• Create hundreds of thousands of new jobs by retrofitting 40% of existing homes and workplaces to net zero by 2035, and 100% by 2045.
• Institute energy labeling of homes and multi-residential buildings.
• Amend the building code so that all new homes and multi-residential buildings are EV charging ready.
• Implement tax credits for investments to decarbonize businesses and industry
• Create an industrial efficiency support program that provides collaboration opportunities with local clean technology and green energy companies to allow emissions reductions for heavy emitting industries.
• Create a fund to support green tech start ups.
• Invest in smart grid implementation and innovations such as bi-directional EV charging, peak demand programs and storage.
• Phase out expensive fossil gas plants by 2035.
• Direct IESO to have an open, competitive bid process for the lowest cost emission-free sources of electricity generation.
• Build smarter – by holding our urban boundaries, protecting the greenbelt and farmland – and instead making it easier to build the missing middle, affordable housing that people want.

Colleen James – Ontario Liberal Party

‘1. How will you prioritize the most vulnerable members of our community in adapting to
and mitigating climate change? What policies will you put forward to ensure that all
community members are supported equitably?
Affordability is central to effective climate adaptation and mitigation. Provincial policies
must require new housing—private and nonprofit—to meet the highest green energy and
building standards, cutting long-term energy costs and carbon emissions.
Increased and sustained provincial investment in municipal and inter-municipal transit
will also ensure accessible, affordable, and climate-friendly transportation for people of
all ages, abilities, and incomes.

2. Given that nearly half of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions are the result of
transportation, what actions will you take to support your constituents and businesses
alike, to reduce emissions related to how we move within and out of the region?
Increased and sustained provincial investment in municipal and inter-city transit is
crucial for enabling climate-friendly transportation. The current government has failed
to provide adequate funding. As a Regional Councillor, I already have a strong track
record of advocating for better transit in Waterloo Region, including securing free transit
for children up to six and, as Chair of the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development
Committee, working with staff and community partners to expand access for suburban
residents, nonprofits, and post-secondary students.

3. The second highest contributor of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions come
from buildings. What actions will you take to support your constituents, residents and
businesses alike, to reduce emissions from how we build and operate our spaces, and
how we move within and out of the region?
As Chair of the Region of Waterloo’s Sustainability, Infrastructure and Development
Committee, I worked with staff, Council and community partners including private and
non profit developers to create a policy for high performance standards for the
development sector. These standards are currently being considered by the Region,
area municipalities, the development sector – private and non profit – as well as the
community.
As the MPP, I understand that the best way to design policy to reduce carbon emissions
from buildings is to update the provincial Building Code and to align it with the National
Building Code. I have the experience and commitment to get this work done.

Jodi Szimanski – Ontario NDP

‘1. How will you prioritize the most vulnerable members of our community in adapting to and mitigating climate change? What policies will you put forward to ensure that all community members are supported equitably?

Equity and justice are core values of the NDP. It is unfair to place disproportionate burdens on
people or communities — such as low-income families, Indigenous communities, or people living
in rural or Northern Ontario — especially when these people and communities are often the least
responsible for the greenhouse gases that are driving climate change. The NDP applies an equity
lens to everything it does, and that includes fighting climate change and achieving net-zero carbon emissions no later than 2050.
For example, we have proposed an ambitious program to provide rebates as well as low-cost on-bill financing to help people install electric heat pumps and energy efficient retrofits, so they can
reduce their energy costs as well as their carbon footprints These rebates will be income-tested, so the cost of a new heat pump would be deeply discounted or even free for low-income households. We will provide an additional rebate for households that heat with propane, heating oil, or coal. We will also make our energy efficiency programs accessible to tenants, so everyone has an opportunity to benefit.
The NDP has also proposed a New Deal for Municipalities that would reverse decades of unfair
downloads and funding cuts by the provincial government, and restore the financial capacity of
municipalities to deliver high-quality public services and infrastructure. Our New Deal includes
increased provincial funding for rural municipalities carrying a disproportionate burden of repairing infrastructure like roads, bridges and stormwater facilities in the face of worsening floods, storms and other impacts from climate change. Rural municipalities serve large land areas with a comparatively small tax base, but this reality is often ignored by provincial government, which often allocates infrastructure funding based on politics and not need. Our New Deal will ensure that infrastructure funding for small municipalities is fair, predictable and consistent, so rural municipal infrastructure can be made safe and resilient to climate change, without imposing disproportionate costs on rural municipal taxpayers.

2. Given that nearly half of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions are the result of
transportation, what actions will you take to support your constituents and businesses alike,
to reduce emissions related to how we move within and out of the region?

One of the most direct ways to reduce emissions from cars is to plan our communities and
transportation systems in a way that avoids the need for long car trips, and provides alternative
transportation options like high-quality transit service, or safe and convenient cycling
infrastructure. The NDP has proposed to update planning rules and processes to focus growth
within urban boundaries, building up instead of out on farmland, This will make it cheaper and
easier to build more types of homes more affordably for more types of people in the
neighbourhoods where they want to live, while protecting farmland and reducing the need for costly infrastructure and long commutes by car. The NDP will also local transit service more reliable, frequent, convenient and affordable by providing 50% provincial funding for municipal transit operations. Better service will mean more ridership, and an alternative option other that the car.

3. The second highest contributor of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions come from
buildings. What actions will you take to support your constituents, residents and businesses
alike, to reduce emissions from how we build and operate our spaces, and how we move
within and out of the region?

As mentioned, an NDP government will provide free or discounted electric heat pumps to Ontario households, with access to easy interest-free financing. Heat pump rebates will be available depending on household income, with additional funds available for households that heat with propane, heating oil, or coal. This program would not only help reduce greenhouse gases and help people save money, it would create good jobs for installers, renovators and heat pump manufacturers.
The NDP will also reverse the Ford government’s bizarre and unprecedented decision last year to
overrule the independent Ontario Energy Board and force gas consumers to subsidize the costs of expanding natural gas infrastructure in Ontario. The OEB ruled that gas consumers shouldn’t be forced to pay this subsidy, but the Ford government chose to put the profits of a gas monopoly ahead of savings for consumers. The Ford government’s short-sighted and politically-driven decision will not only mean higher gas bills and less choice for consumers, it will make it harder and costlier for Ontario to transition to net-zero by 2050.

Catherine Fife – Ontario NDP

‘1. How will you prioritize the most vulnerable members of our community in adapting to and mitigating climate change? What policies will you put forward to ensure that all community members are supported equitably?

Equity and justice are core values of the NDP. It is unfair to place disproportionate burdens on
people or communities — such as low-income families, Indigenous communities, or people living
in rural or Northern Ontario — especially when these people and communities are often the least
responsible for the greenhouse gases that are driving climate change. The NDP applies an equity
lens to everything it does, and that includes fighting climate change and achieving net-zero carbon emissions no later than 2050.
For example, we have proposed an ambitious program to provide rebates as well as low-cost on-bill financing to help people install electric heat pumps and energy efficient retrofits, so they can
reduce their energy costs as well as their carbon footprints These rebates will be income-tested, so the cost of a new heat pump would be deeply discounted or even free for low-income households. We will provide an additional rebate for households that heat with propane, heating oil, or coal. We will also make our energy efficiency programs accessible to tenants, so everyone has an opportunity to benefit.
The NDP has also proposed a New Deal for Municipalities that would reverse decades of unfair
downloads and funding cuts by the provincial government, and restore the financial capacity of
municipalities to deliver high-quality public services and infrastructure. Our New Deal includes
increased provincial funding for rural municipalities carrying a disproportionate burden of repairing infrastructure like roads, bridges and stormwater facilities in the face of worsening floods, storms and other impacts from climate change. Rural municipalities serve large land areas with a comparatively small tax base, but this reality is often ignored by provincial government, which often allocates infrastructure funding based on politics and not need. Our New Deal will ensure that infrastructure funding for small municipalities is fair, predictable and consistent, so rural municipal infrastructure can be made safe and resilient to climate change, without imposing disproportionate costs on rural municipal taxpayers.

2. Given that nearly half of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions are the result of
transportation, what actions will you take to support your constituents and businesses alike,
to reduce emissions related to how we move within and out of the region?

One of the most direct ways to reduce emissions from cars is to plan our communities and
transportation systems in a way that avoids the need for long car trips, and provides alternative
transportation options like high-quality transit service, or safe and convenient cycling
infrastructure. The NDP has proposed to update planning rules and processes to focus growth
within urban boundaries, building up instead of out on farmland, This will make it cheaper and
easier to build more types of homes more affordably for more types of people in the
neighbourhoods where they want to live, while protecting farmland and reducing the need for costly infrastructure and long commutes by car. The NDP will also local transit service more reliable, frequent, convenient and affordable by providing 50% provincial funding for municipal transit operations. Better service will mean more ridership, and an alternative option other that the car.

3. The second highest contributor of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions come from
buildings. What actions will you take to support your constituents, residents and businesses
alike, to reduce emissions from how we build and operate our spaces, and how we move
within and out of the region?

As mentioned, an NDP government will provide free or discounted electric heat pumps to Ontario households, with access to easy interest-free financing. Heat pump rebates will be available depending on household income, with additional funds available for households that heat with propane, heating oil, or coal. This program would not only help reduce greenhouse gases and help people save money, it would create good jobs for installers, renovators and heat pump manufacturers.
The NDP will also reverse the Ford government’s bizarre and unprecedented decision last year to
overrule the independent Ontario Energy Board and force gas consumers to subsidize the costs of expanding natural gas infrastructure in Ontario. The OEB ruled that gas consumers shouldn’t be forced to pay this subsidy, but the Ford government chose to put the profits of a gas monopoly ahead of savings for consumers. The Ford government’s short-sighted and politically-driven decision will not only mean higher gas bills and less choice for consumers, it will make it harder and costlier for Ontario to transition to net-zero by 2050.