The Green Energy Act: A path for a more competitive Ontario?
On May 14th 2009 the Ontario Government put forward the following news release which outlines the passage of the Ontario Green Energy Act.
McGuinty Government’s Plan Will Lead to Green Jobs and Green Energy
Ontario’s Legislature today passed the historic Green Energy Act, intended to attract new investment, create new green economy jobs and better protect the environment. The legislation will now be sent to the province’s Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent.
Once in force, the Green Energy and Green Economy Act (GEA), as well as complimentary policy and regulations, will provide the government with the necessary tools to ensure Ontario’s place as North America’s renewable energy leader, and to create a culture of conservation, assisting homeowners, government, schools and industry in embracing lower energy use.
The GEA will offer a wide range of economic opportunities for manufacturing and skilled labour as well as new renewable ventures for Aboriginal communities, farmers and community groups in rural Ontario or for urban dwellers, schools or companies looking to invest in rooftop solar to cut their electricity costs.
The legislation was the result of consultation with stakeholders, including public comment on its provisions through both legislative hearings and posting on Ontario’s environmental registry.
Assess the impact of the decision by the Government of Ontario to pass the Green Energy Act on its economic competitiveness. In your answer you will begin by outlining some of the challenges Ontario has faced that have resulted in a decline in its competitive position
A )
discuss the following factors that present a challenge to Ontario’s declining competitive position.
• Declining Gross National Product predicted to be 2.0% for Ontario for 2010
• Raising corporate taxes to 14%
• Deficit spending to the manufacturing sector, especially to the automotive sector and other struggling sectors, such as forestry
• Weak economic growth, especially the loss of jobs
• Poor productivity associated with high wages
B)
• Provide 3 supporting arguments in favour of the Green Energy Act on Ontario’s competitiveness
• Provide 3 opposing arguments opposing the Green Energy Act on Ontario’s competitiveness
