September 23, 2020 Ontario…

September 23, 2020

Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Ave West
1st Floor
Toronto, ON
Email: waterpolicy@ontario.ca

To Whom This May Concern,

Re: Comments on Proposal to extend the current moratorium on water bottling permits
Environmental Registry of Ontario Posting No. 019-2319

On August 28, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted a regulatory proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) entitled: Proposal to extend the current moratorium on water bottling permits. The project number is 019-2319 and the public comment period is for 30 days from August 28, 2020, until September 27, 2020.

This proposal is a vital part of the Ontario government's moratorium for new and increasing bottled water takings, currently expiring on October 1, 2020. As part of the moratorium, the Ontario government committed to complete a review of the Province's water taking programs, policies and science tools. ERO proposal 019-1340 provided the results of that review and recommendations for provincial action.

The MECP requested respondents' comments to focus on the four goals and related actions discussed in that proposal paper.

MECP is now seeking the public's opinion on extending the current moratorium to April 1, 2021. This extension would provide MECP more "time to thoroughly review and consider feedback received and further engage on how [it] can implement [its] proposed enhancements to Ontario's water taking program."

I support an extension to the current moratorium to allow more time to thoroughly review and consider comments received regarding proposed enhancements to Ontario's water taking program.

We need to get this right. I applaud the government's willingness to take the extra time to review and understand the challenges facing and concerns of Ontario residents concerned about our long-term water sustainability.

Establishing priorities for water use is no simple task. Neither is enabling an area-based approach to assess and manage multiple water takings in a given area, especially one where water sustainability is a concern.

Thank you for considering this extension and for allowing me the opportunity to share my views on the proposed moratorium extension.

Should you have any questions regarding my comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours truly,

Ian MacRae, Councillor Ward 1
Township of Centre Wellington
226.384.5623
ianmacrae@ianmacrae.org