Environmental Defence Canada…

Environmental Defence Canada (EDC) opposes the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks’ (MECP) proposal to amend Ontario Regulation 387/04 (water taking and transfer) under the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA) to give proponents greater flexibility and streamline the process to apply for a permit to take water where a permit has been cancelled, expired or revoked in certain circumstances for previously approved water takings.

Water is not a commodity to be transferred to benefit private corporations. Proposing to allow permits that have expired, been cancelled or revoked to be reinstated through a streamlined process without meaningful consultations with Indigenous Nations, communities, or an updated environmental assessment conflict with the core purpose of the OWRA and the Permit to Take Water (PTTW) program.

EDC recommends that the Ministry withdraw the proposed amendments to ensure that the full scope of the environmental, technical, and community impacts are rightfully considered and that constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples are respected.