For Immediate Release
March 20, 2008

Environment Critic encourages
“Lights Out” for “Earth Hour”

Queen’s Park – Ontario PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett is encouraging Ontarians to turn out the lights on March 29th for one hour, between 8 and 9 p.m.

“I think it’s a very small task that obviously has huge benefits,” said PC Environment Critic and Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. “While the lights are out we will be reducing the demand on the power grid, but I think it’s also an opportune time to get out some candles and play a board game with the family.”

Earth Hour made its debut last year in Australia and organizers from the World Wildlife Fund decided to introduce the idea to Canadians this time around. An estimated 2.2 million Australians participated in 2007 which allegedly reduced the demand on the power grid by 10 per cent.

“I think as Canadians we are becoming more conscious of what repercussions our actions have on the environment and I would think that the response in our country will be overwhelming,” Barrett said. “Spread the word to friends and neighbours and let’s see if we can be a global leader on March 29th.”

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For more information please contact
MPP Toby Barrett at: 1-800-903-8629