Ontario creating 'day of action on litter' amid criticism on climate change inaction

The province says it iscreating an "official day of action on litter" though at the same time, an environmental advocacy group says Ontario has done little in the lastyear to combat climate change.

In a news release issued Wednesday, the province announced plans to establish its "first official day focused on the clean up of litter" forMay 12, 2020.

"Ontario is protecting what matters most and keeping our neighbourhoods, parks, and waterways clean and free of litter and waste," reads the news release.

"People in Ontario are passionate about keeping our province's nature and communities litter-free, and our government will continue to support and encourage real environmental action," said Jeff Yurek, the minister of the environment, conservation and parks, in a statement.

The news release mentions bringing clean up activities to schools, neighbourhoods and municipalities across the province, but does not provide any other details.

Other agencies are less bullish on the province's environmental track record. Advocacy organization Environmental Defence issued a report on Ontario's climate change actions this month, and declaredthe provinceis "not on track to meaningfully reduce Ontario's carbon footprint."

The report suggests the provincial government has donelittle to reduce greenhouse gases, which is something Premier Doug Ford promised when he unveiled the government's climate change plan last November.

In a statement to CBC Toronto, Andrew Buttigieg,press secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks said, "we are committed to raising awareness of the impacts of waste and litter in our communities and promoting environmental stewardship."

Buttigieg added that "Ontario has played an important role in fighting climate change ... with the province's emissions down 22 per cent since 2005," and that "almost all of Canada's progress towards the 2030 Paris Agreement targets has been driven by Ontario."

Environmental Defence saidpromises to make change are "hollow if they aren't backed up by strong actions."

Tens of thousandsof people also marched last month in a massive rally that took place in front of Queen's Park, demandingthe government to do more on climate change.