Not Above the Law

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government broke the law by not holding public consultations before it scrapped the province’s cap and trade program, an Ontario court has found.

According to Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR), the minister must provide for public notice and comment on proposed regulations and legislation that could have “a significant effect on the environment” at least thirty days before implementation.

One Ontario judge noted that the decision handed Friday “makes a point broader than its four corners: it makes the point that the government is not above the law and may not insulate itself from judicial review when it acts unlawfully.” #onpoli