The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) wants your comments. Specifically, they want your comments (by November 8, 2016) regarding the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR).
Ontario’s EBR (1993) protects the environment by, “…ensuring that the public is informed, engaged, and consulted on matters of environmental significance.” The MOECC is reviewing components of the EBR and is seeking public feedback.
Comments on the Environmental Bill of Rights
Some have already weighed in on this request for comments. For example, Ecojustice has stated, in part, “The first and foremost needed reform of the EBR is the recognition of the substantive right to a healthy environment for all Ontarians. The guarantee of substantive environmental rights lies at the very heart of a strong EBR. It includes the right to breath clean air, drink safe water, enjoy a nontoxic environment, and expect healthy ecosystems for our children.”
Environmental Commissioner, Dianne Sax, stated that key areas in need of reform include:
- removing or narrowing EBR exceptions,
- extending appeal deadlines,
- strengthening Statements of Environmental Values,
- strengthening the ECO’s investigative and reporting powers, and
- allowing for stays pending applications for leave to appeal.
The Canadian Environmental Law Association stated, “Despite … increase in public access, CELA contends that the EBR has fallen short of achieving progress towards other key principles and policies entrenched in the legislative intent of the statute.”
The David Suzuki Foundation, in urging action (and providing a form letter to send to Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change), states, “Please tell the Government of Ontario that you want a strengthened Environmental Bill of Rights that recognizes your right to a healthy environment.”
Dragun Supports a Balanced Approach
We appreciate, and share, the desire for a clean and safe environment. We also recognize that environmental issues can be emotionally charged at times. These emotions can make it challenging to focus on facts and data relating to potential environmental issues.
While we will not provide comments to the EBR, we continue to support scientifically-sound solutions that are protective of human health and the environment, regulatory certainty for businesses, and fair and equitable treatment for everyone in Ontario.
If you have questions about environmental compliance, remediation, etc., please feel free to contact me (cpare@dragun.com) at 519-797-7300.