Addressing Liberal Party members and provincial delegates in Niagara Falls, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, gave a briefing on his Green Energy Act proposal, saying that Ontario needs to show some aggression in the wake of the downturn. 

McGuinty said that rather than relying on a low Canadian dollar and low energy costs, Ontario companies need to find forceful ways to turn a profit. According to him, the proposed act will eliminate the barricade in the way of renewable energy projects, and help the province keep pace with the US, if a cap-and-trade structure for carbon emissions is executed.

McGuinty’s message came out clear enough: “It’s clear our world is changing and our businesses are going to have to be at their very best if they want to compete and win!”

The Ontario Premier also said that harmonizing federal and provincial sales taxes in the budget of the province is another proposal under consideration by the government, to help companies see through the difficult economic times. However, such a move would necessitate assistance from the federal government, since it would cut provincial revenues and raise the price of certain commodities.

Talking about an apparent accord around harmonization of taxes, McGuinty said: “Consumers will be affected by this, and our treasury takes a hit, in the billions. That’s the kind of thing we can only do with the support of the federal government.”