Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's…

Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018 is aimed at increasing employment by cutting red tape - eliminating redundant regulations. This bill will needlessly bypass or eliminate critical regulations and put public health and safety at risk. Specifically Schedule 5 will repeal the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 by 2021 and remove the toxics reduction plan in 2019 which will mean Ontario workers and residents will be forced to rely entirely on the Federal Chemicals Management Plan for health and safety protection with respect to toxic materials.

For nearly two years, Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) represented the Concerned Walkerton Citizens at the Public Inquiry investigating that Ontario community's tainted water tragedy. It has definitely caused me to be very concerned about Bill 66 for the reason that CELA has expressed very strong opposition to Bill 66 Schedule 5.

With regards to Bill 66 Schedule 5, CELA states it does not agree “that the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 (“TRA”) is duplicative of requirements under federal law on control of toxic substances and, therefore, does not find persuasive the [Minister’s] argument that repealing the TRA will reduce a burden on industry from having to comply with duplicative programs. Ontario has also previously identified many toxic substances in Ontario not covered by federal requirements that if they are still present in the province could benefit from application of the TRA.”

Regulations that protect public health and safety are not red tape. It is unreasonable to reduce restrictions on toxic substances that are currently identified under the Toxics Reduction Act and its regulations.

I respectfully request that Schedule 5 be withdrawn from Bill 66.