Doug Ford is the anti-carbon Teflon man.Nothing sticks to him in these honeymoon, halcyon days.The premier-in-waiting has declared an end to carbon pricing in Ontario — no cap and trade, no carbon tax, no fuss, no muss, no nothing. No matter.He is a man of action. Albeit a premier without a plan after he’s sworn in June 29, with no hint of how he’ll combat climate change.Never mind Earth’s rising temperatures. Ontario’s gas prices are coming down, and that’s a Ford promise (forget rising world oil prices).Ford vowed in the campaign that he is “for the people.” His victory surely proves his grasp of the political environment — if not the planetary one.The problem with honeymoons, however, is that they are time-limited. Same with Teflon, for as the special coating wears off, stuff starts to stick, and heat up — much like the earth’s temperature. Eventually, it all adds up. Especially the numbers, as Ford may soon see.Ford loves lampooning the overpaid CEO of Hydro One as the “Six Million Dollar Man.” But what shall we call Ford once taxpayers see the price tag for his fateful decision to pick fights with governments in Ottawa, Quebec and California (over our linked carbon market)?Quite apart from the environmental costs, his Tories pointedly set aside $30 million for a court battle to fend off Ottawa’s new law imposing a federal carbon tax on any province that doesn’t do enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That looks like a long shot, losing money to save face. Will Ford be tagged the “Thirty Million Dollar Man” who enriched lawyers while impoverishing taxpayers?Will he be dubbed the “Three Billion Dollar Man” who had to reimburse private companies for the carbon allowances they bought at auction under cap and trade — plus legal fees?Will he be deemed “Doctor No” for cancelling the Green Ontario Fund (financed by cap and trade ...
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