ERO 019-6951 streamline…

ERO 019-6951 streamline permit-by-rule framework
ERO 019-6853 streamline water taking for construction site dewatering
ERO 019-6928 streamline environmental stormwater management
ERO 019-6963 streamline permissions for waste management systems

THIS IS NOT MODERNIZATION BUT A REGRESSION TO DARKER TIMES

ERO 019-6951 Must not be implemented as it will weaken regulatory oversight, opening the floodgates to another Walkerton tragedy. The illnesses and deaths in Walkerton in 2000 were not only due to the incompetence of the system operators but also to the Ontario government’s deregulation of water quality testing and cuts to inspection services while not enforcing the guidelines that had been in place. History must NOT repeat itself.

ERO 019-6853 We assume is being proposed to accommodate the colossal dewatering which would be required for a publicly funded underground parking garage for the preposterous Ontario Place private spa. We foresee trouble ahead with soil and building instability. If local conservation authorities will no longer be notified of water taking, problems can be expected, especially in vulnerable headwaters areas where dewatering has been known to go on 24/7 for years because of underground streams.

ERO 019-6928 We do not feel confident that self-regulation will prevent future hazards such as the industrial dumping of mercury into the Wabigoon River, thereby poisoning the aquatic ecosystem that the Grassy Narrows and White Dog First Nations depend on for sustenance and livelihood. This issue has remained unresolved for 50 years. There is potential for even more serious consequences with slacking off of regulations and reducing stringent government vigilance and monitoring.

ERO 019-6963 As YREA sees it, the self-regulation under the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry will allow the government to continue to divest itself of responsibility should another Lac-Mégantic tragedy occur. The Environment Ministry’s work with industries that spill hazardous substances is too weak to prevent and reduce the risks from spills. Information about these spills and potential impacts on nearby people, communities and the environment are not publicly disclosed in a transparent or timely way. The lack of cost-recovery for spill responses cost taxpayers, not polluters millions of dollars.

By implementing these changes, removing EROs so Ontarians are kept in the dark with no public participation, scrutiny and legal recourse will only exacerbate the risks of pollution, impacts to human health and environmental degradation. Instead of handing off responsibility, the government should not evade its duty and strengthen regulations. York Region Environmental Alliance therefore requests that all four EROs be withdrawn as the need to address reparations when accidents or damages occur will not save anyone any time or money.

Sincerely
Gloria Marsh, Executive Director
York Region Environmental Alliance
Partnering for a greener planet
http://www.yrea.org