Results-based Plan Briefing Book 2009-10

ISSN #1718-6536

MINISTRY OVERVIEW

MISSION:     

Working with all Ontarians and engaging partnerships with business and governments to prevent pollution, restore and protect the environment to enhance public health, environmental quality and economic vitality.

VISION:

An Ontario with clean and safe air, land and water that contributes to healthy communities, ecological protection and a green, sustainable economy for present and future generations.

MINISTRY OVERVIEW STATEMENT

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) provides comprehensive environmental protection built on a strong foundation of clear laws, stringent regulations and standards, and science-based permits and approvals.  Through this protection, the ministry is delivering on the government’s key priorities of “Health”, “Green Economy” and “Environment/Climate Change.”

The ministry monitors and analyzes environmental trends to determine the effectiveness of its activities and assess risks to human health and the environment.  This information enables the ministry to develop and implement effective legislation, regulations, standards, policies, guidelines and programs that protect public health and the environment. 

MOE will continue to work with all Ontarians to protect and restore the environment to enhance environmental quality, support public health and lay a green foundation for sustainability by:

• Developing protective policies, legislation, regulations and standards;
• Using science and research to support policy development, environmental solutions and reporting;
• Ensuring that planning, which aims to identify and evaluate environmental benefits and risks, takes place at the earliest stages in the decision making process;
• Undertaking compliance and enforcement action to ensure consistency with environmental laws;
• Monitoring and reporting to track environmental progress over time and inform the public; and,
• Modernizing environmental assessment and approval processes. 

The Ministry of the Environment continues to protect and improve the quality of the environment, to support ecological sustainability, human health and safety, and Ontario’s economic prosperity. 

Protecting the environment is crucial to our sustainability as a society.  Without a healthy environment, our economies will fail to thrive, human health and well being will be compromised and our ecosystems significantly impacted. 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROTECTING ONTARIO’S AIR

The ministry continues to invest in the delivery of Ontario’s climate change strategy and protecting the air we breathe.  Initiatives include:s

• Combating climate change through the Community Go Green Fund, which supports grassroots, community-based initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; 
• Consulting the Premier's Climate Change Advisory Panel on climate change strategies, policies and research to meet Ontario’s aggressive and achievable targets;
• Supporting the development of climate change adaptation strategies;
• Establishing a new cap and trade system for greenhouse gases in partnership with Quebec and encouraging other jurisdictions to get involved;
• Addressing smog and air toxics reductions through emission reductions in Ontario and working with the Government of Canada to seek reductions in U.S. emissions with transboundary impacts;
• Establishing new air emission standards for additional substances;
• Streamlining approvals for renewable energy projects to assist in the transition to a low carbon future in Ontario and support the province’s renewable energy sector; and,
• Working with the federal government to streamline environmental assessments, leading to an integrated, efficient review of infrastructure projects.

REDUCING TOXICS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

MOE is making investments to protect Ontarian’s health by taking action on toxic substances, including:

• Introducing toxics reduction legislation to reduce pollution and to protect Ontarians from exposure to toxic substances in air, water, land and consumer products.  The proposed Toxics Reduction Act is the centrepiece of Ontario’s Toxics Reduction Strategy which represents a balanced approach to protecting human health and the environment and improving the quality of our lives while supporting the transformation of businesses in Ontario to a green economy; and,
• Reducing human exposure to toxins through a ban on the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides and toxins from a variety of sources.  This will also support a Green Economy through fostering the development and sale of green alternatives.

PROTECTING ONTARIO’S WATER

Key initiatives include:

• Implementing the Lead Action Plan to ensure the protection of public health;
• Continuing projects on the protection of sources of municipal drinking water with the approval of all Source Protection Plans submitted by Source Protection Authorities;
• Protecting Great Lakes sustainability through the 2007-2010 Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem;
• Finalizing the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan which will be the most comprehensive watershed-based plan in Canada, with the ultimate objective of protecting, restoring and improving the ecological health of the watershed;
• Mandatory charges for commercial and industrial users for the water they take and use; and,
• Providing information to the public about the state of Ontario’s drinking water through the release of the Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s report and the Minister’s Annual Drinking Water Report. 

WASTE DIVERSION

The ministry’s waste diversion initiatives build on efforts to put Ontario at the forefront of a green economy in North America.  MOE is continuing to take action to promote and increase waste diversion while ensuring that residual wastes are appropriately managed by:

• Helping Ontarians generate less landfill wastes through legislation, policies, programs, and standards to promote reduction, reuse, and recycling of non-hazardous wastes including plastic bags; 
• Ensuring compliance with legislation and promoting enhancement of the management of hazardous wastes;
• Promoting responsible land use and restoration of land quality and undertaking remediation where necessary; and,
• Reviewing the Waste Diversion Act and developing new waste diversion programs.

EFFECTIVE MONITORING, COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

The ministry’s research, monitoring, inspection, investigations and enforcement activities are integral to achieving Ontario’s environmental goals.  The ministry will continue to support these activities by:

• Enhancing inspection and enforcement capacity to protect Ontario’s air, land and water; and, 
• Modernizing MOE’s laboratory and monitoring facility and equipment which is critical for water, air and soil sample analysis, monitoring and reporting. 

MINISTRY ADMINISTRATION

Ministry Administration provides strategic support for fiscal controllership and strategic management oversight, including financial management, audits, technology operations, legal services, communications and French language services.  It also includes the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry, which enhances citizen participation in government decisions and provides substantive information to the public on environmental initiatives. 

GREENING INTERNAL OPERATIONS

The ministry will support Government of Ontario initiatives to conserve energy and wisely use our air, water and land resources in order to generate sustainable environmental, health and economic benefits for present and future generations.

MOE is committed to reducing its environmental footprint by greening its internal operations and supporting environmentally sustainable practices for its partners, stakeholders and suppliers.  A range of activities are being undertaken to reduce the ministry’s air emissions, energy use, water consumption, and waste generation.  These include: monitoring and reducing the ministry’s carbon footprint, promoting energy and water conservation in ministry outreach and educational activities, and supporting government-wide greening and sustainability initiatives.

MINISTRY KEY RESULTS

By delivering on these government priorities, the ministry strives to achieve these key results:

• delivering on Ontario’s climate change strategy;
• reducing toxic substances and cancer causing agents in the environment;
• banning the sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes;
• safeguarding drinking water from source to tap;
• protecting and enhancing our lakes and rivers, including Lake Simcoe and the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem;
• maximizing waste diversion;
• cleaning up environmentally contaminated sites;
• enhancing inspection and enforcement capacity;
• investing in environmental science;
• supporting Ontario’s transformation to a green economy; and,
• modernizing approvals and reducing regulatory burden
  

MINISTRY ORGANIZATION CHART

View Ministry Orgnaization Chart

LEGISLATION ADMINISTERED BY THE MINISTRY

Adams Mine Lake Act, 2004

Capital Investment Plan Act, 1993 (Part IV re: Ontario Clean Water Agency only)

Clean Water Act, 2006

Consolidated Hearings Act

Environmental Assessment Act

Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993

Environmental Protection Act

Environmental Review Tribunal Act, 2000

Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008

Ministry of the Environment Act

Municipal Water and Sewage Transfer Act, 1997

Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (together with The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)

Ontario Water Resources Act

Pesticides Act

Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002

Sustainable Water and Sewage Systems Act, 2002

Waste Diversion Act, 2002

Waste Management Act, 1992

Waterfront Regeneration Trust Agency Act, 1992

AGENCIES, BOARDS & COMMITTEES (ABCs)

	ESTIMATES 2009-2010 $	INTERIM ACTUALS 2008-2009 $	ACTUALS 2007-2008 $
Advisory Council on Drinking Water Quality and Testing Standards	235,800	288,200	256,208
Environmental Review Tribunal	1,850,800	1,603,100	1,602,090
Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee	195,600	156,200	134,845
Total Agencies, Boards & Committees	2,282,200	2,047,500	1,993,143

*NOTE: The ministry will contribute $5 million to the Walkerton Clean Water Centre in 2009-10. Detailed financial information for Ontario Clean Water Agency and Walkerton Clean Water Centre is provided in their Business Plans

MINISTRY PLANNED EXPENDITURE 2009/10

	ESTIMATES 2009-10 $
OPERATING	348,002,514
CAPITAL	19,230,000
Total Operating and Capital	367,232,514

MINISTRY PLANNED EXPENDITURE 2009/10

VOTE/PROGRAMS		ESTIMATES 2009-10 $
MINISTRY ADMINISTRATION
Strategic Management Support		57,859,800
Ministry Administration Capital		1,000
	Ministry Administration Total	57,860,800
AIR
Smog and Air Toxics Reduction		51,785,600
Drive Clean		19,114,700
Climate Change		18,196,000
Air Capital		300,000
	Air Total	89,396,300
WATER
Clean Water		101,127,700
Source Protection		44,772,400
Nutrient Management		8,634,500
Water Capital		8,071,000
	Water Total	162,605,600
WASTE
Non-Hazardous Waste Management		17,769,400
Hazardous Waste Management		16,686,500
Land Restoration		11,989,900
Waste Capital		10,776,000
	Waste Total	57,221,800
STATUTORY APPROPRIATIONS		148,014
Total Ministry		367,232,514

APPENDIX: ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09

2008/09 ANNUAL REPORT

During 2008/09 the Ministry of the Environment (MOE, the ministry) engaged in a number of activities to protect and enhance clean and safe air, land and water in Ontario and to contribute to healthy communities, ecological protection and sustainable development for present and future generations. 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROTECTING ONTARIO’S AIR

Several ministry activities in 2008/09 were aimed at lessening our collective impact on global climate change and helping to protect Ontarians from the harmful effects of air pollutants.

In December 2008, the ministry tabled the first-ever annual report on Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan.  The report highlighted provincial actions including:

• Reductions of CO₂ emissions from coal-fired electricity by 20 per cent;
• Over 2,600 megawatts of new, renewable power supply contracted, as of September 2008;
• More than 78,000 home energy audits and nearly 20,000 retrofits completed by September 2008;
• Over 225,000 square kilometres of Far North Boreal region – a globally significant carbon sink – are being protected; and,
• Moving forward on program development and funding for MoveOntario 2020. 

Additionally, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI) has begun the foundation work to bring in a low carbon fuel standard, which when implemented, will reduce emissions by the equivalent of removing 700,000 cars from Ontario’s roads; MOE continues to support MEI in this initiative.

The Province has streamlined and limited the time allowable for the Environmental Assessment process for public transit projects. 

In June 2008, Ontario passed a new regulation requiring all large operating landfills to put in place methane collection systems, which will significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions in the province. 

Ontario recognizes that an effective approach to coping with current environmental challenges will require cooperation and collaboration by many jurisdictions and organizations.  To that end, the province has engaged others in this important work.  For example, early in 2008, Ontario hosted a summit on climate change adaptation, bringing together more than 100 scientific, technical and policy experts from across Canada. 

The Ontario government has been collaborating on a cap and trade approach for greenhouse gas emissions with other jurisdictions and consulting with Ontario stakeholders. 

• In June 2008, Ontario signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Quebec to collaborate on a regional cap and trade system.
• Additionally, in July 2008, Ontario joined the Western Climate Change Initiative (WCI) – a group of provinces and states developing a sub-national cap and trade system working together to find regional solutions to climate change. 
• In January 2009, MOE posted a discussion paper “A Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade System for Ontario” on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry for public comment.

The ministry’s Community Go Green Fund is supporting 23 grassroots, community-based initiatives now underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

At the close of a two day summit of world climate change leaders held in California in November 2008, Ontario’s Environment Minister signed a declaration to continue to support global cooperation to combat climate change. 

As Ontario receives about half of its ground level ozone from transboundary U.S. sources, the province supported legal action brought by 14 states, two cities and five non-governmental health and environment organizations against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to pressure the agency to enact stricter ozone standards.

REDUCING TOXICS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

The ministry consulted on a discussion paper on its draft Toxics Reduction Strategy and has finalized the strategy based on the feedback received. The strategy, when implemented, will inform and protect Ontarians from toxic chemicals in the air, water, land and consumer products and will help build a greener more sustainable economy for Ontario. 

The Province’s Toxics Reduction Scientific Expert panel has reviewed and provided input to the proposed strategy and believes that it will help to achieve environmental and public health objectives as well as foster innovation in Ontario’s economy.

In June 2008, the Ontario Legislative Assembly passed an act to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides.  Regulations have been finalized and take effect in April 2009.

The ministry selected a successful contractor and work has begun to remove and destroy the PCB wastes at the Pottersburg site in London. 

PROTECTING ONTARIO’S WATER

The Government of Ontario continued its actions to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water supply – from source to tap – for current and future generations.

The Minister of the Environment released the third annual report from the province’s Chief Drinking Water Inspector which reinforced that the people of Ontario can be confident that their municipal systems are delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to their taps.

Along with conservation authorities and local committees, the government marked progress on protection of sources of municipal drinking water with the completion of work plans for 40 planning areas.

Construction on a new, permanent facility for the Walkerton Clean Water Centre began in October 2008.  The new, energy-efficient building, to be completed in Fall 2009, will increase the centre’s capacity to conduct training, seminars, information sessions, and research on drinking water.

In July 2008, Ontario signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Ontario representatives of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, committing the parties to consult and cooperate on issues affecting the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem.    

The Lake Simcoe Protection Act was passed in December 2008.  The Act established the legislative framework for enacting a Plan. The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan is under development, and extensive consultations have taken place. When finalized, it will be the most comprehensive watershed-based legislated plan in Canada.  

WASTE DIVERSION

The Province also made strides to improve the management of waste in Ontario. 

The ministry has undertaken a site clean-up of the largest known illegal tire site in Ontario, the Melbourne Tire Site. 

Waste Diversion Ontario, an agency created by the Waste Diversion Act, 2002 to develop and oversee waste diversion programs, recently developed a tire diversion program, which will create incentives for reusing and recycling.  

At the request of the Minister of the Environment, Waste Diversion Ontario developed the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste program for wastes including paint, solvents, oil filters, single use batteries, antifreeze, propane tanks and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment program for waste including computers, monitors, televisions and printers.  These programs ensure that companies that make and market these products will pay for the diversion of wastes resulting from them.

EFFECTIVE MONITORING, COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

The ministry hired 60 front-line environmental enforcement inspectors to enhance its front-line inspections and enforcement capabilities.

The ministry is in the process of modernizing its laboratory and monitoring facility to ensure it can continue to provide high quality information.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND GREENING INTERNAL OPERATIONS

To support individual efforts to reduce environmental impacts, the ministry launched the “Add-It-Up” website which helps Ontarians to understand how the choices they make every day affect the environment.

The ministry continues to reduce its environmental footprint by greening its internal operations.  A range of activities were undertaken to reduce the ministry’s air emissions, energy use, water consumption and waste generation. 

MINISTRY INTERIM ACTUAL EXPENDITURES 2008/2009

	Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures ($M) 2008/09
Operating	$346.6
Capital	$86.7
Staff Strength (as of March 31, 2009):
Ministry of the Environment	2,358
Ontario Clean Water Agency	720

* Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the Ontario Budget.