History of the Ministry from 1972 to 1997

The Ministry of the Environment was established in 1972, with the merging of the Department of the Environment and the Ontario Water Resources Commission. 

1972 to 1993

During this time, the Ministry of the Environment was responsible for ensuring that acceptable standards were maintained with respect to the air, water and land quality of the province.. Activities included: air quality management and auto emission controls; waste management; water management; provision of sewage and water facilities and regulation of septic tanks; meteorology; environmental assessment; and the operation of laboratories for environmental research.

Although the administrative structure of the Ministry changed during this time, certain core functions remained constant, including water and air quality management, environmental assessment and laboratory services. As government involvement in environmental monitoring and control expanded, new or more specialized areas of concern, such as hazardous contaminants, emerged as areas of sufficient importance to deserve their own branches

A number of boards, agencies and commissions grew up around the Ministry in response to legislation and the need for community and technical input to Ministry decisions. These included the Environmental Assessment Board, the Environmental Appeal Board, the Pesticides Advisory Committee, and the Ontario Waste Management Corporation.

1993 to 1997

In 1993, the Ministry of the Environment was amalgamated with the Ministry of Energy to form the Ministry of the Environment and Energy.

During this time, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy was responsible for the protection of the environment of Ontario and for ensuring an environmentally safe and affordable supply of energy for domestic and industrial use within the province. Activities and programs of the Ministry included: environmental assessment, waste reduction, and industry conservation; air quality and meteorology; environmental monitoring and reporting; water quality; laboratory services; standards development; and energy research, development and management.

The Ministry consisted of a number of branches which were organized into divisions. These divisions included: the Conservation and Prevention Division; the Environmental Sciences and Standards Division; the Corporate Management Division; the Policy Division; and the Operations Division.

Agencies which reported to the Ministry included: the Advisory Committee on Environmental Standards; the Environmental Appeal Board; the Environmental Assessment Board; the Environmental Compensation Corporation; the Farm Pollution Advisory Committee; the Ontario Clean Water Agency; the Ontario Energy Board; the Ontario Energy Corporation; Ontario Hydro; and the Ontario Waste Management Corporation, among others.

In 1997, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy was divided to form the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology.

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