Minister's Speech

Statement to the Legislature

The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of the Environment

First Reading — Toxics Reduction Act
April 07, 2009

(Check against delivery)

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise on World Health Day to introduce an important piece of legislation that, if passed, would help reduce toxic substances in Ontario and create a better quality of life for Ontarians, and support the health of our families and our communities.

Our proposed Toxics Reduction Act is another in a long line of visionary yet eminently sensible actions that our government has taken to help ensure we can breathe clean air, drink clean water and safely enjoy the land around us.

It addresses key areas of concern: Toxic substances are used in nearly all industrial and production activities.

They’re commonly found in products we use every day.

And they can negatively impact our environment and our health.

Ontarians are truly concerned about the environmental and health risks associated with potentially carcinogenic substances.

Recent polls show that 94 per cent of Ontarians put toxics on par with climate change as a priority environmental issue that must be addressed. ¹

Our government has taken a stand to reduce the harm.

We have already taken a number of steps to reduce toxics in our environment including working to improve the health of the Great Lakes, updating air standards and diverting hazardous waste from landfills.  We have also banned the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.

Today, we introduce proposed legislation as a cornerstone of our proposed Toxics Reduction Strategy.

Mr. Speaker, you’ll recall our government’s pledge to develop this Strategy.

We see it as addressing three issues:

• Managing the use of toxics would improve the protection of the environment and human health
• Giving Ontarians the Right to Know about toxics in their communities
• And helping ensure that Ontario is well-positioned to compete globally and develop green chemistry alternatives

Mr. Speaker, let me stress how critical this third point is to our future success and prosperity.

Ontarians want a strong economy.  They want a high quality of life in clean, healthy communities.

They believe, as we do, that we can have both.

With this proposed legislation, we want to ensure the well-paying green-collar jobs and investment resulting from innovation and scientific research into green chemistry will happen right here in Ontario.

By doing so, we would help transform Ontario into a strong, competitive force in the new green economy.

Our Strategy augments the traditional “end of pipe” approach to managing chemical releases by placing a new focus on reducing the use of these substances at the front end of industrial processes.

If passed, the proposed Toxics Reduction Act would enable us to start rolling out this new approach.

It would require facilities to track and evaluate their current use and release of toxics, and develop a plan to reduce them both.  

A summary of each plan would be made public so Ontarians are aware of industry’s use and release of toxics.

Mr. Speaker, we are taking a fair, rational, and balanced approach — one that supports Ontario businesses during challenging economic times, and does not impose undue regulatory burden.  

We also plan to ensure facilities have the early technical, compliance and financial assistance they need to develop their toxic reduction plans and to take early action to reduce substances where possible.

If the proposed act is passed, we would be investing $24 million to help support industries in Ontario transform their processes, find green chemistry alternatives and reduce the use of toxics in their operations.

Mr. Speaker, we are confident we’re proposing the right steps.

Throughout this process, we have benefited from the good advice of Ontario’s Toxics Reduction Scientific Expert Panel under the leadership of co-chairs Dr. Miriam Diamond, who is here today with her family, and Professor Lynda Collins.  Both are joining us in the House today, along with our other special guests.

Mr. Speaker, Ontarians see a link between reducing toxics in their environment and ensuring a healthy quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, our government has a vision for the future of Ontario — and this proposed legislation, this Strategy — is a crucial part.

If passed, the Toxics Reduction Act would help us better protect human health and be better stewards of the environment.

It would ensure Ontarians are well-informed so they can avoid those toxics that could be harmful.

It would encourage and support innovation in the use of more environmentally-friendly replacement substances, which would ultimately make industries more competitive in the world’s emerging green economy.

If passed, this bill would make Ontario the leading province in Canada on toxics reductions.

And it would secure new jobs and investment at a time when our highly-skilled workforce and diverse industries are eager for new opportunities.

Change will not happen overnight.

But with the support of the House for this legislation, we can begin the important work of reducing toxics and building greener, healthier and more prosperous communities across Ontario.  

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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