"Clearly the Ontario government's commitment to responding to GHG emissions and climate change has become questionable. At a time when President Obama says he is focusing on climate change as part of his second term agenda, the Ontario government is ending or scaling back programs to fight GHG emissions, and will fall far short of meeting its 2020 and 2050 targets," said Miller.

The Environmental Commissioner released A Question of Commitment, his 2012 annual review of the government's Climate Change Action Plan, on December 4, 2012.

Miller acknowledges the phase-out of coal-fired generation has helped the government reach 90% of its 2014 target, but he points to four areas where Ontario has scaled back programs: 1) cancelling green commercial vehicle program; 2) cutting funding for electric vehicle program; 3) delaying construction on high-occupancy vehicle lanes; and, 4) not implementing a "cap and trade" program.

Miller recommends implementing a carbon-pricing system to combat climate change.

"Other jurisdictions are demonstrating carbon pricing can be adopted without hurting economic growth, while delivering lowered GHG emissions. Decisive action on carbon pricing could provide an elusive win-win-win for the government, economy and the environment," said Miller.

"With each passing year it becomes clearer that without new policies and a drastic change in the current upward trajectory of GHG emissions, our planet is headed for a frightening future," added Miller.