Election: Pringle on smog and coal plants

NEWS RELEASE

JOSH PRINGLE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE SAULT STE. MARIE

************************* A John Tory government would invest in cleaner air

Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate Josh Pringle said that a PC government will take immediate action to install clean air technology on Ontario’s coal plants.

In 2003, Dalton McGuinty promised to close all of Ontario's coal plants by 2007, warning that smog contributed to more than 1,800 premature deaths every year.

He then admitted he couldn't keep his promise and moved the closure date to 2009.

Again, he couldn't live up to his commitment and he moved the final date to 2014.

“Dalton McGuinty could have taken steps to make the coal plants burn more cleanly - to reduce the dangerous pollutants going into the air we breathe. But he didn't. This inaction has resulted in air that contributes to hundreds of premature deaths in Ontario each year,” said Pringle.

A John Tory PC government will take immediate action to install clean air technology on Ontario’s coal plants.

This technology can reduce toxic emissions by up to 90 percent.

“Liberal inaction has not only contributed to lost lives, it has wasted precious time in developing the new generation we need to replace coal-burning plants,” said Pringle.

“John Tory and I understand that we can’t turn the coal plants off until we replace the power they generate; but we also believe that lives are worth saving,” said Pringle. “That’s why a John Tory PC government will take immediate action to install clean air technology in the coal plants, where it can be most effective and beneficial.”

“Our party has an ambitious and realistic plan for tackling air pollution,” said Pringle. “This plan will reduce smog and give all Ontarians cleaner air, allowing us to move as quickly as possible to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets.”

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