The COVID-19 pandemic has taken up most public discussions over the past three months, but the Ontario NDP has not forgotten the climate crisis facing Ontario residents.
On Monday, NDP Climate Crisis critic Peter Tabuns and NDP critic for Mental Health and Addictions Bhutila Karpoche plan to introduce a bill ensuring the province's ability to deal with the ongoing and future health impacts from rising global temperatures.
"Families are already experiencing property damage and losses as the climate crisis causes more flooding, tornadoes, and wildfires in Ontario," said Tabuns. "And this is just the beginning."
If it passes in the legislature, the Climate Crisis Health Action Plan will establish a Climate Crisis and Health Secretariat to develop an action plan. A science advisory board would provide expert guidance to help prepare the health care and public health systems cope with threats ranging from new diseases to mental distress caused by climate-related displacement.
"We have seen the horrifying costs of failing to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic," said Karpoche. "We can't afford to make the same mistake by refusing to recognize how the climate crisis will harm our health."
COVID-19 has not been linked to climate change, but experts have repeatedly warned that pandemics could become increasingly common.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centres for Environmental Information, the period between January and May 2020 is the second warmest on record behind 2016.
"The government must act now to ensure Ontario is ready to respond to the climate crisis. If they don't, we will have more devastating public health crises on our hands in the years to come," added Tabuns.