Ontario Proposes Industry Detox Legislation

Part of the province's Toxics Reduction Strategy, the proposal would require regulated facilities to report and track their releases and uses, create a plan for toxic use reduction and make that plan public.

While implementation of these plans would not be mandatory, the measure is modeled after a similar voluntary provision in the Massachusetts' Toxics Use Reduction Act that led to a 91 percent reduction in environmental releases and a 64 percent reduction in toxic waste.

Should the Legislature approve Bill 167, the proposed Toxics Reduction Act, 2009, the province would invest $24 million to help support Ontario's industries to transform their processes, find green chemistry alternatives and reduce the use of toxics in their operations.

"Ontarians want a strong economy and a high quality of life. With this proposed legislation, we can begin the important work of reducing toxics and building greener, healthier and more prosperous communities across Ontario," said Environment Minister John Gerretsen.

The Toxics Reduction Strategy is built upon the recommendations of the Toxics Reduction Scientific Expert Panel and consultations with a wide range of stakeholders.

Factory in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (Photo by Sharon Mollerus)

Stakeholder feedback on the draft Toxics Reduction Strategy included requests for the province to go further in the direction of mandatory substitutions of safer alternatives, legislated toxics reduction targets,and mandatory labeling of consumer products containing toxics, and also concerns related to the potential overlap with federal toxics programs and potential new costs.

Ontario's Research and Innovation Minister John Wilkinson views the measure as a way for Ontario to develop greener products that will attract customers from around the world.

"The global market is seeking innovative alternatives to toxic products and processes," Wilkinson said. "We are committed to supporting Ontario companies become leaders in the green economy and meet the worldwide demand for greener products."

If enacted, the measure is expected to support Ontario manufacturers' efforts to comply with the European Union's REACH regulations, which will require that all products imported into the EU do not contain certain hazardous chemicals.

The Toronto nonprofit organization Environmental Defence called the measure "a significant step forward for the protection of the environment and human health, as well as for the creation of green jobs."

"The detox of Ontario has begun. This Act will reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and provide us with the tools to know what pollutants are being emitted in our communities," said Dr. Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, and co-author of the forthcoming book "Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health."

Ontario emits more cancer-causing chemicals into the air than any other Canadian province, according to PollutionWatch, a joint project of Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association.

Data from 2004, the most recent comparative data available, showed that in North America Ontario was second only to Texas in terms of tons of toxic chemicals being released.

Blood sample testing by Environmental Defence over the past few years has shown that many hazardous chemicals, such as lead and mercury, are found in the bodies of Canadians.

Said Smith, "This is just the kind of innovative, forward-thinking approach we need in Ontario to green our economy and remain competitive in an era when consumers are demanding greener, safer products."

Click here to view Bill 167 and the accompanying Discussion Paper, open for public comment until May 7, 2009.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2009. All rights reserved.