Minister's Speech

Remarks prepared for:

The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of the Environment

Food and Consumer Products of Canada - 50th anniversary gala dinner
Art Gallery of Ontario

September 22, 2009, 6:30 P.M.

Thank you Nancy, for that kind introduction.

Minister introduced by Nancy Croitoru [pronounced Croy-too-row] President and CEO of FCPC

Let me begin by congratulating you on the 50th anniversary of Food and Consumer Products of Canada.

I also want to recognize the important contributions you are making to support Ontario’s transformation to a more sustainable, green economy.

Intro

to be here at the Biosciences Complex today for this important announcement.

Protecting our environment and building a low-carbon green economy are key priorities for our government.   

By protecting our air, land and water, we are ensuring a high quality of life, good jobs and healthy places to live.  All these are key measures of sustainability and success.  

In Ontario, we’re rich in resources — and in the past, we’ve taken that for granted.

We haven’t made a practice of conserving with an eye to the future.

That needs to change.  We need to fully recognize our responsibility to the next generation and build sustainability into all our actions.
 
Big Picture on Waste

That much is clear when we look at the waste picture in Ontario.  It’s a big problem.

We generate far too much waste.  Each of us creates about a tonne every year. 

Too much of it — about 80 per cent — is going directly to landfill.  And about one third of that is packaging.

Not only are landfills a terribly inefficient use of resources, they use valuable land, are a blight on the landscape that no one wants next door, and worst of all; they leave potential environmental problems for future generations.

That includes the effects of landfill on climate change.  One tonne of municipal waste produces up to 2.1 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

The time is long-past for digging bigger holes to bury our waste.

We need to see the inherent value of these resources, where second and third generation products become the raw material for new, green products.  It makes business sense and environmental sense.

A recent U.S. study demonstrated how the recycling and reuse industry creates a large number of jobs that pay over the national average, generates gross revenues of more than $236 billion a year, with $173 billion a year in indirect economic activity.

The bottom line is that the green economy stimulates the entire economy.

But, to support our successful transformation into that new green economy, we need to dramatically increase Ontario’s overall waste diversion rate, which is stalled around 22 per cent.

Waste Diversion Act Review

We are serious about making the kinds of advancements in waste diversion that will move diversion rates upwards, support innovative new technologies and help drive Ontario’s transformation to a strong, low-carbon economy.

That is where the Waste Diversion Act review is taking us. 

We want our waste diversion framework to do better at driving good environmental outcomes; through better designed products and packaging, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution, and a more sustainable economic loop of production and consumption.

The ministry has received a number of comments on the discussion paper and the review of the Waste Diversion Act.

We have also undertaken extensive consultation with all our stakeholders.
Stakeholders have told us they want us to focus on outcomes.

They are looking for a more streamlined and flexible approach.

They want certainty and clarity about what’s expected of them so they can make long-term waste management planning part of their business strategy.

I can tell you we’re listening carefully to everything we heard.

I will soon be proposing a new framework that will allow for the flexibility business is looking for, along with a focus on individual accountability that will help business develop its own long-term plans.

I can tell you the outcome will be good for Ontario’s businesses and will support our move to a more sustainable, green economy.

I think most would agree that that we want to do is to simplify and streamline the system, make it more competitive and more innovative.

A more flexible waste diversion framework, based on the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility, means we can send a clear signal that would allow firms to invest in new technology and jobs and create future export markets.

Once it is made public, we plan to consult directly with affected industries and associations, as well as planning public consultations as we move forward.

Recognizing the role of stewards

As Ontario’s and Canada’s business leaders, you have a pivotal role in helping us create a more effective and efficient waste diversion framework, one that works for everyone and works better at getting us where we want to be.

Credit needs to go to you for the inroads you have already been making towards sustainability.

I particularly want to recognize the FCPC members and other industry stewards who are here this evening.

You continue to demonstrate your willingness and responsiveness to the challenge of dealing with our wastes in a more responsible manner.

We appreciate dealing with products and packaging isn't easy — this work is complicated.

We also understand that planning and support for change have got to be there.

Consensus will not always be possible — there will always be room for debate and discussion.  We want to hear your opinions.

But, the need for change is not in dispute.

As business leaders, you understand the need to respond to new circumstances and to stay ahead of where the global market is going.

Change is coming.  But, it is a change for the better.

Update on Municipal Hazardous Special Wastes Program

We’ve created significant momentum over the past year.

A lot of effort has been put into bringing new programs forward for Municipal Hazardous Special Wastes (MHSW), for e-waste and just recently, a new program for used tires was introduced based on 100 per cent extended producer responsibility.

All these programs are firsts for Ontario.  The work has been challenging to put all the pieces together and to launch them within the timeframe that was set out. 

But, in just over a year and a half, our government has put in place some of the most rigorous, transparent and accountable waste diversion programs of any jurisdiction.

We are leading. 

Let me also be clear that under Ontario’s waste diversion programs everyone is being treated equally: whether your company produces here and sells here, or is producing elsewhere and selling into Ontario — it’s a level playing field.

Tonight, I want to share with you the next steps on MHSW.

Earlier today, I approved a consolidated MHSW plan that breaks new ground by including many more materials such as compact fluorescents and rechargeable batteries.

Considerable effort and discussion went into the proposed consolidated program plan.  I know there were concerns about some of the materials being added to MHSW.

Sometimes it takes tough decisions today to help us properly manage these wastes in the future.

The program will triple the amount of MHSW materials being diverted from our landfills and sewers, increase the number of green-collar jobs, and make it easier and more convenient for consumers to recycle responsibly.

That’s good for business and good for the environment.

EPR – driving diversion

Extended Producer Responsibility is where the world is heading.  Many U.S. states are proposing a shift to EPR and are looking at Ontario as a model.

The European Union is way ahead on this, having used an EPR model for the past decade.

As President of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, I can tell you that Extended Producer Responsibility will be a central topic of discussion when I host Canada’s Environment Ministers in Kingston at the end of October.

We want to move ahead on a harmonized approach to EPR that will be clear and workable across the country.

Economic opportunities in the green economy

Recognizing and harnessing the environmental and economic value of recycling and reuse will lower environmental impacts, strengthen economic opportunities and create jobs for people in our province.

We’re already seeing recycling companies like TRY Recycling in London, E-Cycle in Mississauga, Unical in Brampton and National Rubber Technologies in Toronto gearing up as a result of increased diversion programs. 

They’re developing innovative new processes and investing in equipment and technologies to meet the growing worldwide demand for eco-friendly products.

It is clear that consumers are driving the move to clean, green and sustainable products.

We are positioning Ontario as the place to come for the innovative ideas and sustainable practices the world wants.

Closing

It’s clear we are in the midst of an economic and environmental transformation. 

Our government understands the many pressures that business is facing in today’s challenging global economic climate.

The good news is Ontario is well-positioned, with a diverse and well-educated workforce, to make the necessary transition to healthier, more sustainable practices and a higher quality of life.

The move to a green economy offers us a valuable opportunity to be bold and innovative, and to create a strong, prosperous foundation for the future and for our children and grandchildren.

We know we can’t always control the pace of change, but what we can do is be prepared for it.

Even better, we can take the responsibility to lead change.

I would like to throw out a challenge to you.  You are key partners representing leading companies with a great deal of influence, particularly when it comes to packaging initiatives.

Work with us on the critical work of reducing packaging across Canada.  Let’s see what it will take to have only recyclable material for packaging.

There’s a lot to do and our government is determined to move forward.

I know that we can count on our important partners, like the FCPC, to work together to build a new, sustainable green economy and to manage the challenge of change.

Thank you.  Enjoy the rest of your evening.

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