Comment re: EBR Registry #…

Comment re: EBR Registry # 013-4234 (Repeal the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 and all associated regulations by December 31, 2021)

Government and industry in this province must always act in a manner that takes into account health, environmental, and quality-of-life issues that affect our citizens. To this end, instead of repealing the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 on December 31, 2021, the Government of Ontario should make this legislation more meaningful and comprehensive by:

* requiring industry to implement the toxin-reduction plans that it is required to develop (instead of allowing this to be voluntary); and,
* increasing mandatory, incremental reductions in the use and creation of toxic substances.

It is not sufficient to claim that by 2021, “all Ontario toxic substances will be covered by the federal Chemicals Management Plan.” As we all know, when governments change, so, too, does legislation. If federal oversight of toxic substances were to be weakened in the future (which is a distinct possibility), it is essential to have provincial legislation in place that would address the development and use of such contaminants.

I urge you NOT to defer to pressure from industry lobbyists. It is essential to maintain provincial management of toxic substances in Ontario through a strengthened Toxics Reduction Act, 2009.