The Government said discussions on the likely shape of the scheme would continue over the summer and it could be in place by 2012.

The proposal called for a 6% reduction in GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2014 and a 15% cut by 2020. The province-wide scheme is likely to cover the electricity, natural gas, petroleum, base metals, steel, cement, chemicals, lime, and pulp and paper industries. These sectors represent about 40% of Ontario's total 2007 emissions.

John Gerretsen, minister of the