Pre 1990s the City would…

Pre 1990s the City would regularly flush effluent into the lake once its containment capacities were reached.

As the Training Consultant for the City, Metro Toronto and other "institutions as defined" under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1991 I found this was really of interest to the many civil servants, politicians, department heads, etc who participated in the sessions re the legislation including their obligations to the public at large as well as their rights as citizens.

The separation and replacement of combined sewers across the city was underway but not complete. Even in heavy storms the flow of water exceeded in situ storage and the capacity of the treatment plant on the Humber at the lake, and staff would open the valves to dump the effluent far out in the lake as in the old days - even in serious overflows it is unlikely not to occur in these days of climate challenges I would suggest.

The public getting any such acknowledgment let alone access to "records" absent any bafflegab and obfuscation was the norm, but this piece of legislation opened up lots of opportunity. Over time, however, administrative methodology to circumvent, etc, etc !

Today though, the public's right to know / be consulted regarding this "development" is being flagrantly ignored by a regime at QP that is backsliding big time. Public interest in a threatened environmental ecosystem is not a minor issue and deserves proper and respectful consideration.