'Our goal is always to hit 100%,' Ford says as docs reveal Ontario off track to hit key climate target

Premier Doug Ford says Ontario will try to hit its climate change targets by 2030, despite internal documents suggesting the province is not on track to meet the emissions reduction goals.

Ford was responding to a report from CBC News that shows the province is projected to miss a key climate change target by three megatonnes of emissions in 2030. The premier said Ontario is working hard to hit the mark and committing to nuclear energy as a way to help green the province's electricity grid.

"Our goal is always to hit 100 per cent and we'll do it as quickly as possible," Ford said on Friday. "That's our goal, and that's what we're going to do. We're going to do our very best to achieve it."

Documents obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request show Environment Minister Todd McCarthy was told in March that the province will fall short of hitting its target of a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.

WATCH | Ontario claims it's on track to meet its 2030 climate targets. Internal docs say otherwise: 

Ontario claims it's on track to meet its 2030 climate targets. Internal docs say otherwise

8 days ago

Duration 2:27

Ontario civil servants have warned the environment minister that the province is not on track to meet its 2030 climate change emissions targets, despite the government's claims. CBC’s Shawn Jeffords has the details.

McCarthy said earlier this month that Ontario would hit that mark.

"We have a plan, and the plan is working," he said June 5. "We are on track to meet the target by 2030 of reducing the 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent. We're doing that by leading Canada."

Ford also touted the province's plan to build four small modular nuclear reactors as part of the strategy to address climate change. But the first of those four reactors aren't projected to be in use until the end of 2030.

"We're going to continue being leaders in nuclear and delivering clean green energy to the grid," he said.

Opposition critics say Ford has no credible plan 

Liberal environment critic Mary-Margaret McMahon said the Ford government set itself back by cancelling green energy contracts after coming to power in 2018. And it hasn't done enough to address climate change since, she said.

"I didn't realize the premier was a magician, because there's no way we're going to make those targets," she said of his comments on the climate targets.

NDP environment critic Peter Tabuns slammed the premier, saying he doesn't have a plan to hit the climate change targets. Ford's pledge is an empty promise, he said in a statement.

"The Premier's 'commitment' means nothing without real action," Tabuns said. "His own civil servants are telling him that his government won't meet his climate targets by a wide margin, and he has refused to admit that our province is falling behind."

Meanwhile, Ford on Friday defended a review currently underway on the province's emissions rules. While the Progressive Conservative climate plan does not include a consumer carbon tax, it does have an emissions performance standards program, which charges "compliance payments" to induce businesses to lower emissions.

The briefing documents obtained by CBC News say the ministry is currently "reviewing both regulation and (the) program in light of broader competitiveness concerns highlighted by U.S. tariff threats and possible changes in federal policy."

Premier says review will not weaken emissions standards

Ford said the review will not lead to a watering down of environmental rules.

"I can assure you, every single company, every single manufacturing company out there wants to be environmentally friendly," he said. "They want to reduce their emissions, they want to be net zero and everyone's trying, the market dictates, and we're going to support the market."

But Greenpeace Canada spokesman Keith Stewart said relying on industry to take the lead on emissions reductions is unlikely to drive the necessary change. The government needs to establish and enforce firm standards, he added.

"Allowing industry to set the pace means we're going to move far too slow," he said.

Stewart said he's doubtful about the premier's pledge to hit Ontario's climate targets. The province's policies won't deliver the results needed to hit the target, he said.

"I have a weight loss goal, but I was eating fries and beer yesterday," he said. "So you know, if you're not actually doing anything to achieve your goal, having a goal is not that helpful."