News Release

For immediate release
June 3, 2009

Protecting People And The Environment From Toxic Substances
McGuinty Government To Consult On Regulations

NEWS

Ontario’s plan to help protect people and the environment from toxic substances has passed third reading in the Ontario Legislature.

The Toxics Reduction Act is part of Ontario’s strategy to reduce toxics in air, land, water and consumer products.  When the act is in place, regulations would require designated facilities to track and evaluate their current use and creation of toxics, develop plans to reduce the use of toxics, and make summaries of their plans available to the public.

Over the summer, the province will begin consulting with stakeholders and the public on draft regulations including substances, industrial sectors and compliance timelines.

The province is supporting the act by investing $24 million to help Ontario’s industries meet its requirements and transform their processes, find green chemistry alternatives and reduce the use of toxics in their operations.

QUOTES

 “The Toxics Reduction Act will help reduce toxic substances in Ontario and contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for our families and communities and a higher quality of life for us all.”
– John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment

QUICK FACTS

• Over 23,000 chemicals and substances are in commercial use and hundreds of new substances are introduced every year.
• Ontario is committed to working with Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Medical Association to identify, target and reduce the number of cancer-causing agents released into the environment.
  

LEARN MORE

About Bill 167, the Toxics Reduction Act

About The Toxics Reduction Scientific Expert Panel

About Toxics and You

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Contacts:	Contact information for the general public:
John Karapita, Minister’s Office, 416-314-6736 Kate Jordan, Ministry of the Environment, 416-314-6666	416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ontario.ca/environment

 

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