When they make decisions that affect the environment, most government departments in Ontario must consider our environmental rights. A provincial law known as the “Environmental Bill of Rights” says that certain ministries have to publish a “Statement of Environmental Values”. This statement is a blueprint for the decision-making process that endeavors to ensure our air and water are protected.

Earlier this month, the newly formed Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure wrote its environmental values statement. The public had a chance to comment on the proposed statement. In light of Waterkeeper’s experience on energy issues and EBR policy (this was the subject of our Lafarge case), we scrutinized the ministry’s proposal very closely. Here’s what we found:


The Energy Ministry limited the application of its environmental values to the development of laws, regulations, and policies. Instead it must apply its environmental values in every decision-making process, though, including when it issues licences or makes day-to-day decisions. This is what the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in the Lafarge case, and this is what the Ontario government is obliged to do.


The Energy Ministry does not truly explain how it will consider the precautionary principle, the ecosystem, or conservation when it makes decisions. These are “best-practices” in decision-making, according to the Court, and it is “reasonable” to consider them. These principles ensure that we do not make mistakes today that we will be unable to fix later. They ensure that our air and water does not suffer “death by a thousand cuts”.


The Energy Ministry does not fully explain how it will protect and preserve Ontario’s ecological and biological diversity. The focus is primarily on energy conservation, which is an important and laudable goal. Conservation alone, however, will not protect our environmental rights.

You can read Waterkeeper’s entire submission here.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week on Living at the Barricades: Mark and Krystyn discuss two-tier environmental protection today – the idea that there are different rules for different people, usually based on who you know, how much money you have, or where you are. We look at federal and provincial examples of two-tier environmental law. Olympian Karen Percy Lowe joins us at the end of the show to give tips to Mark for his upcoming torch run in Vancouver, BC.

Listen to the show
Listen to this week’s show online (right-click to download).

Subscribe to the Living At the Barricades Podcast via iTunes

Recent News
Randle Reef cleanup in limbo
Lafarge Canada Inc. files for Air Certificate
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure policies under review
Two Tier Environmentalism (Episode 6 – 2010)
Resisting the winds of change
Underwater robot hunts in Great Lakes
City’s harbour wasn’t exactly ‘picturesque’
Millbrook water test results remain sealed
Cameco Corporation registers lobbyist with provincial registry
Annual bird count received 93,600 checklists last year
Natural gas ‘fracking’ perils drinking water
A different tack on site remediation
Great Backyard Bird Count can help answer many questions
Water plan opponents presenting at meeting
Conservation authority takes stand on Karst lands
Feds pass on surest solution to Asian carp advance
Nuclear industry left hanging, Hudak says; McGuinty Liberals still debating whether to build another plant
Nelson Aggregate Co. registers lobbyist with provincial registry
Liberty Energy Co. registers lobbyist with provincial registry
No plans to close Dufferin Gap
Wolfe Island hockey tournament renamed in honour of Chris Mattson
Bio Balance explains composting facility to council
Energy minister says he can’t say when new nuke decision will be made
Liberty Energy Co. registers third lobbyist with provincial registry
Liberty Energy Co. registers second lobbyist on provincial registry
Extension of the 2007 Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA)
Revocation of eight regulations under the Environmental Assessment Act no longer considered to have any practical effect
‘Tune-up’ for Pickering, overhaul at Darlington nuclear plant
Red Tape is People
U.S. Unveils Plan to Keep Asian Carp Out of Great Lakes

Waterkeeper.ca Weekly:

Waterkeeper.ca Weekly reflects the meaning and force of environmental justice on Lake Ontario. To contact the editor, please e-mail newswaterkeeper.ca. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is a charitable organization, no. 86262 2750 RR0001, and a proud member of Waterkeeper Alliance. Please consider making a donation to support our work.