January 15, 2019 The Kearney…

January 15, 2019

The Kearney Watershed Environmental Foundation has a number of concerns regarding Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018

This Bill proposes to make changes to provincial policy and law in a variety of administrative departments; many of which affect the future environmental sustainability of our province.

KWEF would like to comment on Schedule 10, #013-4239, the Open for Business Bylaw, and Schedule 5,#013-4234 and #013-4235, the changes to the Toxic Reductions Reporting Requirements

SCHEDULE 10 , 013-4239- Bill 66 : the Open for Business Bylaw under the Planning Act
The changes under this section of the Bill lack specific guidelines and regulations. It is unwise for the legislation to be passed ; and for the specifics to be decided later.

According to the Association of Municipalities Ontario, this OFB Bylaw, Under Section 6 of Section 10:
“ would allow a municipal council to decide whether or not they wish to implement any of the environmental policies found in the following instruments in their OFB By-law
• The Provincial Policy Statement (2014) and municipal Official Plans made pursuant to the Planning Act;
• Drinking Water Source Protection Plans prepared under the Clean Water Act, 2006;
• Great Lakes Protection Initiatives made pursuant to the Great Lakes Protection Act, 2015;
• The Green Belt Plan promulgated under the Greenbelt Act, 2005;
• The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan promulgated under the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008;
• The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan pursuant to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001.
• A Policy Statement made pursuant to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. “[1]
The AMO states that Bill 66 “ raises questions about achieving economic gains may result in long term environmental concerns”. ( www.amo.on.ca)
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Ontario is fortunate to have one of the most plentiful, safe water supplies in the world. The protections in place under the various pieces of legislation listed above help to ensure this and should be maintained intact.
A Municipality’s Official Plan is developed with much consultation with the public and reflects the intent of the Council and the populace it serves. The proposal to circumvent adherence to the Municipality’s Official Plan and to remove any recourse by the residents undermines the responsibility of elected officials to represent the voters, and the intent of an Official Plan.

Under Schedule 5, #013-4234 and #013-4235:
The proposal to reduce, and in the case of certain facilities, to remove altogether the obligation to report toxic substances in 2019 is based on the premise that the Federal Chemicals Management Plan will come into effect in 2021. This is premature and is ill advised. Allowing facilities exemption from creating a toxic reporting and reduction plan whether they are reporting on a new toxic substance under an existing requirement, or are new to the program is folly. Making implementation of the plans voluntary negates the whole idea of reducing toxins.
Bill 66 , Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018 should not be hastily pushed through the legislature. The details should be carefully considered and clearly outlined BEFORE this wide-ranging legislation is passed, and the public response period should be extended to allow the public to respond once clear specific guidelines are developed.

Carol Adamthwaite
Chair, Kearney Watershed Environmental Foundation.( KWEF)