It’s an honour to rise today to say thank you to the Guelph Climate Action Network and the Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice for organizing a community climate forum on May 4. I was so impressed that over 160 community members came out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to problem-solve and discuss real actions we can take to address the climate emergency. I left the meeting inspired and energized by the people power in that room.

People talked about how vital local food, public transit, cycling and walking infrastructure, more homes in existing neighborhoods, and waste reduction are to reducing climate pollution. They talked about the need to disconnect their homes from dirty fossil gas and install heat pumps as a way to save money heating and cooling their homes. They made it clear to me that they want Ontario to invest in low-cost wind and solar, not expensive, dirty gas plants, and they don’t want any more four-lane highways in the greenbelt. Most of all, they told me they want a livable, low-carbon future for their children and grandchildren. They want a government that’s going to invest in preparing our communities for the climate emergency that we’re experiencing—the floods, the droughts, the fires.

I want my constituents to know that I hear you, and I will work hard at Queen’s Park to bring forward the solutions you want and that we all need.