The attached PDF document…

The attached PDF document below includes comments from Region of Peel staff on the draft Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystems. The lion's share of the Region’s comments focus on specific commitments in the draft agreement. These comments are outlined in the table founded in the attachment below and are grouped by the section of the agreement.

Regional staff also provide general comments about the draft agreement. These include:

- Include More Details: The agreement could be strengthened with the inclusion of more details. There is no clear implementation mechanism or timelines for reporting on progress. Also, some of the commitments in the agreement are vague.

- Clarify if commitments and results are new or existing: It is not clear if the agreement’s commitments and results are brand new, ongoing or have been modified from the existing agreement. It is also not clear how the commitments or actions in the agreement enhance or align with existing policies and regulations.

- Other General Comments: On the issue of reducing waste and plastic waste in the Great Lakes Basin, it is suggested that a commitment to promote and support a circular economy be added to the agreement. This might fit most appropriately in the principles section of the agreement.

It is also suggested that the agreement include a commitment that any science-based studies completed by either government (Canada or Ontario) be shared with staff from all three levels of government. This too could be added to the principles section of the agreement or in the appropriate annexes.

Reference to “support” is made throughout the agreement; however, it is unclear what “support” entails in relation to the development and implementation of programs and policies. The agreement would therefore benefit from further clarification around “support” and what level of government would be providing it.

The ongoing source water protection efforts do not appear fully acknowledged in the agreement, making it unclear how the proposed commitments align and build upon the source protection planning.