Young activists involved in challenging Ontario’s climate plan are poised to appeal to the province’s highest court to revive their case. Premier Doug Ford’s administration placed the case in uncertainty by dismantling its own climate legislation just before it was due to defend its weakened 2018 emissions target in court. Previous court rulings had highlighted a significant gap between this target and the necessary level to mitigate severe climate consequences, lacking a clear scientific rationale.
In November, the premier’s office justified the repeal of the legal requirement to establish an emissions reduction target and periodically update the climate plan by citing U.S. tariffs and economic instability. This legislative change, which was a focal point of the youth-led challenge, was interpreted by some legal experts as an effort by Ontario to evade responsibility.
Now, a legal representative for the climate activists is advocating for the Appeal Court to review the case and ensure a definitive judgment on whether Ontario’s climate strategy breaches the Charter. Fraser Thomson, a lawyer with the environmental law organization Ecojustice, emphasized the urgency of addressing the government’s strategic moves to evade accountability amid the climate crisis.
The Canadian Press has sought a response from the province. Ontario’s highest court is anticipated to determine whether to reconsider the case after receiving written arguments from both parties by April.