April 20, 2010

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Environment Critic Peter Tabuns today joined doctors and nurses in urging the McGuinty government to prevent unnecessary pollution-related deaths by immediately putting Ontario’s coal plants on emergency-only stand-by.

Figures released today by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, indicate that by keeping coal plants burning until 2014 the McGuinty government policy will cause the premature death of 1,000 Ontarians and pollution-related illnesses in another 100,000 people.

“It is reckless and illogical that the McGuinty government continues to burn dirty coal when there is more than enough supply to keep Ontario’s lights on without it,” said Tabuns.

“Not only is coal a killer – it is now uneconomical and contributes to rising hydro rates.”

Last year the government subsidized coal production to the tune of $400-million.

“Instead of subsidizing death and illness, the government should be investing in cost-effective conservation and energy efficiency initiatives which are the best way to control rising hydro costs,” said Tabuns.

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