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Following the Walkerton tragedy in 2000, legislation to protect source water was developed with input from many sectors including municipalities, the farming community and Ontario’s Conservation Authorities. The result was the proposed Clean Water Act (Bill 43) introduced in December 2005. This Act is focussed on preventing the contamination and depletion of surface and groundwater sources that supply municipal drinking water systems with water. Under the proposed Act municipalities, Conservation Authorities, farmers, landowners, industry, businesses, community groups and the public would collaborate to develop local, workable, effective and science-based plans to address local risks to municipal drinking water.
The proposed Clean Water Act is currently making its way through the provincial legislature and has been sent to the Standing Committee On Social Policy. The Standing Committee will review and comment on the Bill and if necessary, propose amendments to various sections of the Bill. Standing Committee provides an excellent opportunity for interested stakeholders to comment on the Bill and make suggestions for possible amendments to the Clean Water Act.
The Standing Committee On Social Policy will be travelling to Toronto (August 21), Walkerton (August 22), Cornwall (August 23), Bath (August 24) and Peterborough (August 25) to hear public comment about the Clean Water Act. People can request to appear before the Standing Committee and provide verbal comments, however, it should be noted that there are a limited number of spots available. Anyone interested in making a presentation on Bill 43 to the Committee must contact the Standing Committee Clerk by 5:00 pm on August 8, 2006. The Clerk can be reached at the following information:
Standing Committee On Social Policy
Trevor Day, Clerk Email: trevor_day@ontla.ola.org
Room 1405, Whitney Block Tel.: (416) 325-3509
Queen’s Park Collect calls will be accepted.
Toronto, ON Fax: (416) 325-3505
M7A 1A2 TTY: (416) 325-3538
Those who are unable or do not wish to address the Committee verbally can submit written comments to the Standing Committee. It is recommended that submissions be very specific in nature indicating which sections/clauses of the Bill are of concern and providing recommendations on how the Bill should be amended. Written submissions must be received by the Standing Committee Clerk by 5:00 pm on August 28, 2006 (see contact information above).
After public submissions have been collected the Standing Committee will consider the Clean Water Act clause by clause beginning September 11, 2006. During clause by clause consideration the Committee goes through the entire Bill and each clause is considered, amended or deleted and new clauses may be added. The Bill is then reported back to the House to continue its approvals process.
You can find a copy of the proposed Clean Water Act (Bill 43) on the Ministry of Environment’s website at www.ene.gov.on.ca. You can also contact your local conservation authority for information about the proposed Act.
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More information: Sommer Casgrain-Robertson
Communications Specialist
Proposed Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region
(613) 692-3571 ext 1147
sommer.robertson@mrsourcewater.ca