95/96 Report Ministry of the Environment and Energy / Rapport Ministere De L'environnement et De L'energie

30 Pages·1996·0.98 MB·English

by  Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy

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Ministry of
Environment
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Ontario

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Ministry of
Environment
and Energy
Ontario
ISSN 1198-0362
IPrintedonrecycledpaper PIBS 2831B03
A Message from the Minister
Anewprovincialgovernmentwithastrongpublicmandateforchangemadefiscal1995-96achalleng-
ingandexcitingyearfortheMinistryofEnvironmentand Energy(MOEE). Theministryworked
throughouttheyeartorespondtothegovernment'spriorities,mostparticularlytotheneedtocontrol
costsbyeliminatingwasteandduplicationandbystreamliningprogramsandservices,whilemakingthem
moreeffectiveandmorefocusedonenvironmentalprotection.
Likeallotherprovincialgovernmentministries,MOEEdevelopedandadoptedaformalbusiness
planduring 1995-96whichdetailstheorganization'smandate,mission,goalsandobjectives,andhowit
willachievethem. Thebusinessplanisavailableontheministry'snewhomepageontheWorldWide
Web,locatedat: http://wrwrw.ene.gov.on.ca.
Duringtheyear,MOEEbeganamajorreviewofthelegislativeandregulatoryframeworkunderwhich
itcarriesoutitsbusiness. Aswell,newindustrialcleanwaterregulationsundertheMunicipal-Industrial
StrategyforAbatement(MISA)cameintoeffect.
MOEEproposedmajorimprovementstoprovinciallicensingregulationsforpesticides,releasedastrict
newguidelineformunicipalsolidwasteincineratorsand,onbehalfofOntario,endorsedasetofstan-
dardsfornewlymanufacturedvehiclesandfuel.
TheministryalsobeganarestructuringplantoensuretheGreatLakescontinuetobecleanedupand
restored,andremedialactionplansarecompletedforthebettermentofOntario'senvironment.
Theministryalsowounduptheoperationsoftwoofitsagencies,consistentwiththegovernment's
—
commitmentstoallowmunicipalitiestodeterminetheirownneeds theInterimWasteAuthority(IWA)
andtheOntarioWasteManagementCorporation(OWMC). TheOntarioRoundTableontheEnviron-
mentandtheEconomyalsocompleteditsmandateduringtheyear.
Alsoconsistentwiththegovernment'scommitments,ontheenergyfrontthegovernmentannounced
theappointmentofanAdvisoryCommitteeonCompetitioninOntario'sElectricitySystem,chairedby
formerfederalenergyministertheHonourableDonaldS.Macdonald,toreviewtheprovince'selectricity
system,andannouncedafive-yearfreezeonprovincialelectricityrates.
Fiscal1995-96wasayearofmajorchallengeandchangefortheMinistryofEnvironmentandEnergy.
Thisannualreportprovidessomedetailsontheyear'shighlightsandoutlinestheministry'seffortsto
respondeffectivelytothegovernment'spriorities,whilecontinuingtodeliverhighqualityservicestothe
public.
NormanSterling
Minister

I - Promises made,
.promises l(ept phasingincompetitioninOntario's largeand small,and isexpected to
electricity industryand to provide promotegreatercertaintyforcompa-
thegovernmentwithrecommenda- nies looking to invest in Ontario.
One of the Government of tions for change in three specific
Ontario's priorities during fiscal areas: structural changes to the
1995-96 was to find savings and industry;regulatoryreformsneeded Ciarilyingresponsibiiltles
improve the delivery ofservices to toensureahealthyandcompetitive inwastemanagement
taxpayers by improving the opera- environment;andtheintroduction
tional efficiency of the province's ofprivate equity in the electricity InJuly1995,thegovernmentimple-
publicagencies. Majorobjectivesin sector. Thecommitteewasexpected mented another key commitment:
this regard included refocusing the toprepareareportfortheMinisterof theprovincereturnedresponsibility
effortsofallministriesontheircore Environment and Energy in the forwastemanagementintheGreater
businesses and eliminating waste springof1996. TorontoArea(GTA) tolocalmunic-
and duplication in the delivery of ipalities,andwounduptheInterim
services. Duringtheyear,themin- WasteAuthority TheIWAhadbeen
.
istry played a significant role in Ratefreeze createdin 1992tofindreplacement
helping the government achieve wastedisposalcapacityforexisting
these corporate objectives while Electricity is a vital commodity in landfillsiteswithintheGTA. Over
ensuringenvironmentalprotection. Ontarioand an energysourcethat time, however, the agency's work
mostpeopleuseeveryday. Oneof became bogged down in cumber-
the government's main commit- some bureaucratic processes and
Advisorycommineeon ments and energy priorities is to exhaustivepublicconsultation.
electricitycompetition ensure that all provincial residents In making the decision to close
have access to safe, reliable and down the IWA, the government
InNovember 1995,thegovernment affordableelectricitysupplies. alsoclarifiedtherespectiveresponsi-
announcedthecreationoftheAdvi- Powercosts increased by30 per bilities of the province and
soryCommitteeonCompetitionin centduringtheearly90s. Thishadto municipalitiesinwastemanagement.
Ontario's Electricity System. The stop,soinOctober,theMinisterof From now on, the province's core
seven-memberadvisorycommittee EnvironmentandEnergyannounced functioninwastemanagementwill
waschairedbyformerPrivyCouncil thatthegovernmentwouldfulfilits involve setting provincewide envi-
President Donald S. Macdonald, campaigncommitmentbydirecting ronmentalstandardsandregulating
who has helda numberoffederal afive-yearfreezeonOntarioHydro's wastedisposaltoensurepublicsafety.
—
Cabinetpositions,includingEnergy, rates. Thefreeze tobeineffect Municipalities will be primarily
MinesandResources,andFinance. from lanuary 1, 1996to December responsiblefordivertingwastefrom
—
Theadvisorycommittee'sman- 31,2000 willprovidestablepower disposalthroughtheBlueBox,com-
date was to evaluate options for prices forall electricitycustomers. posting and other 3Rs programs.
MMitpyBlEnvIroMMOtamiEaergy/I
Municipalitieswillalsoberesponsi- a provincial facility for liquid and Between 1992 to 1995, the Round
bleforwastemanagementplanning hazardous waste treatment and Table worked in partnership with
andimplementation,publicconsul- disposalwasrejected. Theagency businesses and communities to
tation, and for siting, funding, wascreatedin1981tolookforliquid implement the recommendations
establishingandoperatingwastedis- industrial and hazardous waste in its report and succeeded in
posalsiteswithintheirboundaries. solutions,butafterspending14years makingasignificantcontributionto
and millions oftax dollars on the Ontario'songoinggoalofenviron-
search,thecorporation'seffortswere mentalsustainability.
Environmentalregulations unsuccessful.
After OWMC's proposal was
In February 1996, the Minister rejected,theagencyshifteditsfocus Advisorycommittees
announcedacomprehensivereview to hazardous waste reduction.
of all MOEE regulations and In August 1995, the Minister of Three MOEEadvisorycommittees
approvalsprocesses, as part ofthe EnvironmentandEnergyannounced also completed their work during
ongoingreviewoftheministry'score the new provincial government's theyear. InSeptember,theMinister
functionsandoperations. Theregu- decisiontoclosetheagencyandwind announced that the Advisory
—
latory review involves a detailed down its operations a decision CommitteeonEnvironmentalStan-
examination of 80 regulations, to that will save provincial taxpayers dards,theEnvironmentalAssessment
ensure that the ministry's work is more than $1 million a year. In AdvisoryCommitteeandtheMISA
—
well co-ordinated and effective future,aspartoftheministry'score Advisory Committee would be
whileensuringenvironmentalpro- functions,MOEEstaffwillprovide discontinued,aspartofa$55-million
tectionandprovidingahighquality technical advice and outreach ministrycost-savinginitiative.
ofservicetothepublic. Thepurpose to industry on hazardous waste Inannouncingthewrind-upofthe
ofthe review isto ensure efficient reduction. committees,theMinisternotedthat
regulationswhileenhancingormain- MOEE now operates in a more
tainingenvironmentstandards. consultativemannerthanwhenthe
RoundTableonEnvironment advisorycommitteeswere created,
andEconomy and thatitwillcontinueto receive
OntarioWaste advice in the future through a
ManagementCorporation In September, the Minister numberofchannels,includingthe
announcedthattheOntarioRound EnvironmentalBUIofRightsregistry,
In November 1994, after a lengthy Table on Environment and Energy and academic, industrial,environ-
and expensive hearing under the had successfully completed its mental and other public interest
Environmental Assessment Act, a mandate.Createdin1989,theRound organizations.
proposalbytheOntarioWasteMan- Table produced the 1992 report
agement Corporation to build Restructuring for Sustainability.
MinistryolEnvlponnentandEnergy/2
Protecting the
Environment requirecontinuousmonitoringand EnvironmentalAssociation. These
measuring ofgas emissions in the partnershipsresultedinareduction
stack. Toensurethat theyoperate intheuse,generationandreleaseof
Industrialcleanwater at the required performance at all 16,700tonnesoftoxicsubstancesand
regulationsnowlaw times, new incinerators will also wastes.Aswell,underthePollution
have to use the most advanced PreventionPledgeProgram,inwhich
InApril 1995Municipal-Industrial incineration and pollution control 190facilitieswereenrolled,areduc-
Strategy for Abatement (MISA) technologyavailable. tion of 21,000 tonnes of toxic
regulations for the iron and steel The release of the guideline substancesandwastesused,gener-
manufacturing and electric power followsthegovernment'sdecisionto atedorreleasedwasreported.
generationsectorsbecamelaw.They allow municipalities and private-
are the last two ofnine industrial sectorproponentstoconsiderthefull
sectors to be regulated under the range of environmentally sound Toughwhennecessary
MISAprogram. wastedisposaloptions,andtodeter-
MISA regulations set legally minehowbest tomeetlocalwaste Ourgovernmentrealizesweallhave
enforceablelimitsoncontaminants disposalneeds.' Thenewguideline aresponsibilitytoprotectourenvi-
thatcanbedischargedinwastewaters establishes air emission limits for ronment,andthereforeparticipatory
toOntario'swaterways,andrequire incinerators in Ontario that are avenues must be made available
thewastewaterstobe non-toxicto among the toughest in the world. allowingforactiverolestobeplayed
aquaticlifeasassessedbystandard inthefightagainstpollution.
laboratorytests. However,environmental abuses
Theproposedlimitsareexpected Partnershipspreventpollution cannotbetolerated. Wecanandwill
toreducetoxicchemicaldischarges gettoughwithpollutionoffendersas
by80percentfromtheironandsteel Throughvoluntarypartnerships,the necessary. During 1995, the min-
sectorandby26percentfrom the ministry's Pollution Prevention istry'sinvestigationandenforcement
electric power generation sector. Office developed prevention and staff.handled 1,372 investigations.
environmentalmanagementsystems Convictionsin 1995resultedintotal
during the year with auto parts finesof$3,047,954.
NewIncinerationguideline manufacturers,chemicalproducers,
setstouglistandards motorvehiclemanufacturers,metal
finishers, printers and graphics RemedialActionPlans(RAPs)
Jn January,the Ministerreleaseda professionals,foodprocessors,indus-
new guideline that set strict new trial launderers, photo-processing In September, a plan to clean up
standardsformunicipalsolidwaste mini-Jaboperators,restaurateurs,the NipigonBaywasformallypresented
incinerators. The guideline estab- RegionalMunicipalityofHamilton- to representatives of the federal
hshesperformance-basedhmitsthat Wentworth and the Emery Creek and provincial governments at a
MMstpyItEflvirfHMit«MlEMmr/8
ceremony in the township of Red provincialandfederalgovernments the completion of a 400-page
Rock,intheDistrictofThunderBay. to work together to address three handbook to be used by health
Nipigon Bay's Stage II RAP main objectives: restoration of professionals,publichealthunits
contained 18recommendationsfor degradedareas;preventionandcon- andcommunityhealthcentresto
thecleanupandongoingprotection trolofpollution;conservationand helpGreatLakesbasinresidents
ofthebay'secosystem,withsewage protectionofhumanandecosystem reducetheirriskfromexposureto
treatment plant upgrades forboth health. contaminants.
RedRockandNipigonheadingthe Key achievements during the
list. The RAP also called for the agreement'sfirstyearincluded:
restorationoffishandwildlifehabi- Workingtoimprove
tats and for an ongoing education ^ the delisting of .Collingwood drinkingwaterquality
and stewardship program that will Harbour as an official Area of
safeguardthebayinthefuture. Concern under the agreement; During the year, the ministry
Othercleanupplanstoreachthis adopted a more stringent national
stage included the St. Clair River theadoptionbytheGovernment guidelinefortrihalomethane(THM)
RAP,DetroitRiverRAPandNiagara of Canada of a federal Toxic of100ug/L(micro-gramsperlitre).
RiverRAR Substances Management Policy, THMisaby-productofdisinfecting
and the issuance of the first drinking water with chlorine, and
NationalPollutantReleaseInven- long-termconsumptionofdrinking
Progressmadetoward tory water with high concentrations of
;
GreatLakesrestoration THMcanhaveanadverseimpacton
the decommissioning and safe pubhchealth. MOEEalsoinitiateda
In September, the first annual storageofmorethan35percent two-year optimization program
progressreportwasreleasedonthe of Ontario's high-level PCBs, duringtheyeartohelpmunicipalities
Canada-OntarioAgreementRespect- alongwiththeirassociatedwastes; improvetheiroperationstoreduce
ingtheGreatLakesBasinEcosystem theproductionofTHMinfinished
(COA). Thereportindicatedthatthe the completion ofabi-national drinkingwater.
twojurisdictionsaremakinghead- assessment of environmental
waytowardtheirgoalofrestoring, issuesrelatingtoLakeSuperior,
protectingandsustainingtheGreat including the identification of Workingtoimprove
Lakes. criticalpollutants; sewagetreatment
TheCOAwassignedinJuly1994
and expires in the year 2000. It At the 1996Annual Conference of
includes targets for environmental theWaterEnvironmentAssociation
andhumanhealthprioritiesforthe ofOntario (WEAO), the Minister
Great Lakes, and commits both presented a Municipal Sewage
MkilstryofEnvironmentandEnergy/4