Conditional Filing Order –…

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019-6749

Comment ID

83032

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Individual

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Conditional Filing Order – how is the Minister qualified (surface water expert, groundwater expert, geochemical scientist, engineer) to determine if a certain element of the closure plan will not have an effect of the environment and/or safety? Will the Minister be held to account if he allowed a company to move forward without meeting the legislative requirements and an environmental disaster or health and safety issues occurs. What kind of compliance tools will be used to ensure the terms and conditions of these “conditional filing order” are followed?
Is it appropriate for the Minister (politician)to be making decisions on whether a mine or drilling program should take place? Is it appropriate for the Minister to be making decision on what should or shouldn’t be deferred, what professional certification does the Minister possess which makes him qualified to make these decision on what will or will not have an effect? Are mining companies and exploration companies contributing to the Minister’s campaign? It seems like a direct conflict of interest. When a politician is advocating for industry and at the same time has taken over the role of a regulator and public servant when he empowers himself as the decision maker removing the Director from that role and assigning it to himself. How would the Minister comply with ONTARIO REGULATION 381/07? Is it even possible when the checks and balance that comes with a non-elected senior public servant being a regulatory decision maker is eliminated and both the political and public servant role is played by the same person?