[CPEO-BIF] Province to Introduce Legislation that promotes cleaner, healthier

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Ontario, Canada 
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/inthnews/releases/20010302-1e.asp

Release: March 2, 2001 
PROVINCE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THAT PROMOTES CLEANER, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES 
TORONTO - The government will introduce legislation in the spring to kick start
the environmental cleanup and revitalization of former industrial or commercial
sites known as brownfields, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Chris
Hodgson, announced today on behalf of the ministers of the Environment and
Economic Development and Trade. 

The proposed legislation forms part of the government’s Smart Growth initiative
launched by the Premier in January. The government will propose clear rules for
the cleanup of contaminated brownfield sites while ensuring that the
environment and the public are protected. In addition, the proposed legislation
would streamline planning processes to expedite brownfield projects and help
municipalities provide financial support for site assessment and cleanup costs
of brownfields. 

"The legislation we will propose would remove the key obstacles to cleaning up
and recycling brownfields," said Chris Hodgson, Minister of Municipal Affairs
and Housing. "By making it easier to take advantage of brownfield
opportunities, this proposed legislation will also help us curb urban sprawl,
make more efficient use of existing infrastructure and preserve our greenfields
and farmland." 

The Harris government was the first to introduce a process and set of
environmental standards for site cleanup in Ontario. The government’s proposed
brownfields legislation and regulations would give these environmental
standards the force of law and set out an environmentally responsible strategy
for cleaning up brownfields while maintaining the Ministry of the Environment’s
ability to address significant contamination. 

"The proposed legislation would provide a practical and environmentally sound
approach to brownfield redevelopment that will help us build cleaner, healthier
communities," said Elizabeth Witmer, Minister of the Environment. "Cleaning up
brownfield sites has tremendous environmental benefits. It improves our soil
and water quality and protects human health." 

The Province appointed an advisory panel of brownfields experts in 
September 2000 to advise the government on policy improvements that would
encourage and facilitate brownfields clean up and rejuvenation. The proposed
legislation would incorporate many of the recommendations provided by panel. 


Backgrounder: BROWNFIELDS: PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION 

Contacts: 

Alexandra Gillespie     
Minister’s Office       
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing       
(416) 585-6932  


John Whytock
Minister’s Office
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 327-9720

Audrey Bennett  
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing       
(416) 585-6072  

Brian Nixon
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 314-7020

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