Despite government assurances to the contrary, Ontario’s environment watchdog says the new climate change plan will impose a carbon tax on industry.

(Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Environmental Commissioner Dianne Saxe says the plan, to introduce standards on the largest emitters, puts a price on carbon.

She adds it will not tax individuals on fuel costs as the scrapped cap-and-trade schemed used to do, and is not as effective because buildings and transportation produce higher emission levels than industry.

Overall, Saxe feels the Ford government’s plan is not as ambitious as the previous Wynne government’s strategy and lacks key details around how clean technology will lower emissions.

The Ford Conservatives says the new plan will not impose a carbon tax, instead offering incentives to the private sector to help meet the government’s goals.