MinistrvoftncEnvironment http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/press/plans98/env.html ONTARIO GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PLANS 1998-1999 - Ministry of the Environment MinistrvoftheEnvironmentHomepage Contents: Message FromThe Minister Ministrv Vision Annual ReportOn Key AchievementsAnd Commitments Core Businesses Kev Strategies Key Performance Measures 1997-98 Ministi-\ Spending by Core Business- Interim Actuals 1998-99 MinistrvApproved Allocations ByCore Business- Plan WhoTo Call MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER 05/26/200012:14PM MinistrvoftheEnvironment http://www.gov.on.ca'MBS/english/press/plan!i98;env.hfmJ Acrossthis province, households, businessesand industryalikerecognizethata heahhyenvironmentis ineveryone'sbest interest. AttheMinistryofthe Environmentwewantto ensurethatOntarioresidentscan enjoycleanairto breathe, safewaterto drinkandsafeland onwhichto live. .^sMinisteroftheEnvironment,Iampleasedtosharewithyou our 1998-99 businessplan. Ourgoal isto setandenforcestrongandclearenvironmental standardsfocused on results—notprocess. Wecontinueto lookbeyondtraditional methodstoensureourenvironmentisprotectedforgenerationstocome. This includesgreaterco-operationwithcommunities, industriesand organizations. Hon.NormanW. Sterling This businessplanexplainssomeofourkeystrategiesforthecomingyear. Understandingthataclean environmentkeeps Ontario competitiveandmakesthe provinceanattractiveplaceinwhichto liveandwork, wewill buildontheprogresswehavemade. From environmental protection effortstoconservationprograms, Ontariohasbeen, andwill continuetobe,a leaderinthedevelopmentofinnovativesolutionsandtechnologies. Ourprioritywill beto find solutionsto issuesthatposethehighest risktotheenvironmentand public healthandto prepareforemergingissues likeclimatechange. Wewill also continuetotakeactionto cleanourair. Avehicleinspectionandmaintenanceprogram, tough newairstandards,vigorous enforcementofthesestandards,and improved monitoringcapabilities will furtherprotectourfamilies fromthehazardsofairpollution. Thecreation ofanewOntario GreatLakesRenewal Foundationwithan endowmentof$5 milliontoattractcontributionsforclean-upeffortswill helpto revitalizeoneof Ontario'smostvaluableresources. Wewill maintainastrongregulatoryframeworkwhilelookingfor innovativepartnershipstoencourageall sectors inOntarioto participatein conservationandprotection efforts. Acleanandsafeenvironment isan importantpartofmakingthisprovinceattractiveto investorsandnew jobs. Theministrybelieves it is playingan importantrole in helpingOntariobecomethebestjurisdiction inNorth America. Wearedeterminedto keepthattrendgoing. TheHonourableNormanW. Sterling MinisteroftheEnvironment MINISTRY VISION Thevision oftheMinistryoftheEnvironment is: whereaconvergenceofhealthywell-being, recreation, commerce, and industryaresustainedin surroundingsofcleanair, waterand land. Tofulfillthisvision,theministrysetsclearpolicies, standards,and rulesto protecttheenvironmentandto encourageconservationactivities. Alongwithmonitoringand enforcingtheserules,theministrylooksfor innovativeapproachesto complementregulations. This includesbuildingpartnershipswithcommunities, industriesandorganizationsto findflexible, practical, cost-effectivewaysto strengthenenvironmental protectionand conservation efforts. Ahealthy, natural environment isvital tothewell-beingofourfamiliesandtotheprovince'sabilityto 2of14 05/26/2000 12:14PM Ministryot'lhcEnvironment http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/englisli/press/plans98/env.html attractinvestmentandjobs. Weplayan importantroleinmakingthisprovincethebestjurisdiction inNorth Americabyproviding better, strongerclearerenvironmental protectionforOntario. ANNUAL REPORT ON KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND COMMITMENTS 1997-98 Achievements EnvironmentalProtection During 1997-98,theministrymademajorstrides in ourcommitmenttoCleanerAirincludingtwomajor program initiativesandanumberofrelatedtechnical advancements. UnderOntario's SmogPlan,45 Ontarioorganizations havesignedan Accordsupportingemissions reductions. Theyformabroadcoalition ofgovernment, businessandcommunityrepresentatives voluntarilyworkingtogethertoachieveemissionsreductiontargets of25 percentby2005 and45 percent by2015. Also,theministryannouncedDriveClean, ourmandatoryvehicletestingprogramtoreduce exhaustemissions, amajorsourceofsmog. Weimplementedanewinterim standardforfineparticulatesthatdamagelungtissuewhen inhaled, and completed inventories oftheamountofemissions intheprovincefornitrogen oxide(NO^), volatile organiccompounds(VOCs)andfineparticulates—thethreeprimarysmog-causingpollutants. Wealsocompletedstandardsforninepriorityairbornepollutantsandmadesignificant improvementsto ourairmonitoringcapabilities, investing in newstate-of-the-artequipment. This ispartofourcontinuing efforttosethigh environmental standardsand ensuretheyaremet. Theministry'sCleanerWaterachievements werealsosignificant. Theministrycontinuedits longhistory ofinvesting inwaterand sewage infrastructureactivities. Weintroducedthe$200millionProvincial WaterProtectionFund. Thisaddresseshuman healthandenvironmental concernsbyprovidingfinancial assistancetocommunitiesforrehabilitatingwaterand sewagesystems. Weoptimized sixmunicipal water treatmentplantstomeet Trihalomethane(achlorination by-product)healthguidelinesandprotectpublic health inthecommunitiestheyserve. UndertheMunicipal Industrial StrategyforAbatement(MISA), seven ofnineregulated industrial sectors mustnowcomplywith requirementsthattheirdischargestosurfacewaterbenontoxic. To improvewater quality, weensuredthatthecurrentratesofwaterqualitycompliancewerebeingmaintainedformunicipal sewageworksand municipal watertreatmentplants. Wehavealsostrengthenedeightprioritysurface waterqualityobjectives,and developedfourdrinkingwaterobjectives. OurachievementsforHealthierEcosystems included: thecompletionofclean upplansforninepolluted sites inthe 17 "areasofconcern" intheGreatLakesand completingourrestoration workatthreesites. Addressingthepolychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs)storageandsafedisposal issue, 46percentofhighlevel PCBs inservicehavebeentaken outofservice; andofthosein storage, 30percentofhigh levelPCBs havebeensafelydisposedsince 1995. WehavealsostreamlinedtheEnvironmental Assessmentprocess. 05/26/2000 12:14PM MinistnoftheEn\ironment http://ww-v\.gov.on.ca''MBSenglishpressplansSSenvhtml to maketimelydecisions, whilemaintainingan effectiveenvironmental focus. Conservation Theministryhastakenanumberofconservationactions. Weworkedwith industrv'and othergroups on theVoluntary'Challengeand Registryprogram to reducecarbon dioxideemissionsand contributeto climatechangecommitments. Bypromotingwastereduction, reuseand recycling, weachieveda32 per centoverall reductionofnon-hazardous wastegoingtodisposal fromthebaseyearof1987. Wecontinuedto investin moreefficient infrastructure. Ministryassistancecontributedtogrowth inthe environmental protectionsectorwhich sawan increaseinrevenuesfrom $2.5 billion in 1992toa$5.8 billion industry in 1997. Theministry'senvironmental stewardship projects continuedtobuild on pastsuccesses. These included proposingimprovementstowasteregulationsandassessingkeyrecyclingfacilitiesandprograms sothey canachievewastereductiontargetsmoreefficiently. Weareworkingwith business, industryandthe publicto reducethegeneration ofpollutantsattheirsource. Asaresult, theministryexceeded itstargetof 10,000 fewertonnes oftoxicsubstancesand wastes beinggenerated by industriestakingpartinthe ministry'svoluntarypollution prevention partnershipsandthe Pollution Prevention PledgeProgram. 1998-99 Commitments EnvironmentalProtection Improvingairquality inOntario continuesasatop priority intheministry'senvironmental protection efforts. AspartofOntario's SmogPlan implementation,theministrywill enterinto contractual performanceagreementswith companiesfromthepetroleum refining, organicchemical andautomobile manufacturingsectorstoreducethe levels ofsmogcausingpollutants. Wewill putDriveClean,the ministr>'smandatory'vehicleemission testingprogram, into operationtoensurethatpollutingvehiclesare cleaned up. Otherprogramactivities includethedevelopmentofastrategyto reducefineparticulatethat damage lungtissuewhen inhaled. Theministrywill continuetotrackairemissions intheprovinceand will updateemissions inventoriesforfineparticulates, nitrogen oxides (NO^)andvolatileorganic compounds(VOCs), pollutantsthatcontributetotheformation ofsmog. Standard-settingactivitieswill includetheimplementation ofstandardsforsevenairbornepollutants, andthecompletion of15 additional draftairbornepollutantstandardsforconsultation. Wearealso settinghigherairqualitystandardsto ensureCleanerAir. Wewill alsofocus on improvingwaterquality in ourlakesandriversand maintainingahighqualityof drinkingwater. Tothatend, wewill initiatetheOntario GreatLakes Renewal Foundationto promote ongoingwaterqualit>' improvements intheGreat Lakes. Theministrywill enhancewaterstandards inthe provincebycompletingfournewdrinkingwaterstandards. Infiscal year 1998-99, as partofthenew Provincial WaterProtectionFund,theministrywill identifyandapprovefundingforcommunitieswhere environmental and health problemsexist. Theministrywill carryoutanumberofactionsto maintain orimproveourecosystems As part ofour toxics reduction efforts, wewill achievemeasurablereductions from a 1993 baseline, ofprioritytoxic substanceswhichposeasignificantriskto human health. Theministrywill also playakeyrole inafederal /provincial workinggroupto developaCanada-widestandard formercury. Wewill sethighertargetsfor waterqualitybyimplementingeightsurfacewaterqualitystandardsand completingsixadditional draft waterqualitystandards. TheElectricPowerGeneratingandIronand Steel sectorclean waterregulations 4of14 05'26'2000 12:14PM Ministryof"iheEnvironment http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/press/plans98/env.html will becomeenforceable in fiscal year 1998-99, reducingtheirpollution dischargesto Ontario waters. We willalso completerestorationactionsfortwoadditional areas ofconcern intheGreat Lakes Publishing the 1999-2000 GuidetoEatingOntario Sportfish will helpthepublic in understandingthestateofour aquaticecosystems Finally, environmental assessmentmilestones will beachieved onaverage20 percent faster,and specifictimelines forenvironmental assessments will be identified. Conservation Conservation efforts will focus on reducingpollutantsandwaste, and on improvingsewerandtechnology infrastructures. Keycommitments includea35 percentoverall reduction ofnon-hazardous wastegoingto disposal, and improving regulationsto promotewastediversion Wewill also workwith Ontario'smany environmental companiesto develop newtechnologies and expand business. This includesactingasa brokerto help environmental companies obtain environmental projects totallingat least SO 5 billion. We will also reducean additional 12,000tonnes oftoxic substancesand wastesthrough voluntarypollution prevention partnerships and the Pollution Prevention PledgeProgram. CORE BUSINESSES Theministn,'has maintained its corebusiness structurefrom the 1997-98 Business Plan withthe exception thattheenergycorebusiness has beentransferredtothenew Ministr>'ofEnergy, Scienceand Technology. Environmental Protection Theministrs' is inthebusiness ofsafeguarding ourenvironmentbyworkingto ensure cleanerair, cleaner water, cleaner land and healthierecosystemsforthehealthandwelfareofall Ontanans Wemonitorand enforcethe rulesthat protectourair, waterand land. Wealso work inpartnership with othersto prevent pollutionandtoachievecommon environmental objectives. This includes invitingprivateenterprise, communitiesand individualstofind innovativesolutionsto environmental issues. Theministry'monitors theenvironmentto studytrends in environmental qualitv'and determinetheeffectiveness ofouractivities. Thishelps us promotesound en\ironmental decision-makingandto set cleardirectionsthrough policies, programs, standards and technologydevelopment. Theministrv'coordinates responsesto environmental emergenciesand ensures polluters clean upand restoretheen\ironmenttheyhavedamaged Conservation Theministrv' is inthebusiness ofencouragingenvironmentallysustainable useofwater, land, energyand material resources. This includesachievingreducedconsumptionandmoreefficientuseofresources, moreefficient infrastructuresuchaswaterand sewageservices, and encouragingpeopleand companiesto becomebetterstewards oftheenvironment. Conservation can prevent damagetotheenvironment caused bypollutionand can extendthe life of non-renewableresources Italso benefitstheeconomybymakingmoreefficientuseofavailableresources and loweringcoststo consumers and industn,' Theministrv,'providesguidancethroughpartnershipswith industry, municipalities, communities, organizationsandthepublicto reducepollutantsandwaste, save energyand conservewater. Wealso continueto help promoteOntario'sgreen industrysectorandto encouragethedevelopmentofnewenvironmentaltechnologiesandinnovativesolutionstoconservation 05/26/200012:14PM Ministrs'oftheEnvironment http://wwv,.gov.on.caMBS/english,pressplanp9&env.html KEY STRATEGIES Theministrywill continueto focus its efforts on keyenvironmental issuesthat poseahigh risktothe environmentand human health; enforcecomplianceofstrong, existingenvironmental laws, and encourage all sectorsto participate in protectingand conser\ingOntario's environment. Building on a Better, Stronger, Clearer Environmental Agenda Theministn,-will continueto buildanagendawhich reflectsthe importantroleaclean environmentplays in promotingbetterhealthandattractingjobsand investment. Ontario's businesses shouldbeableto look ahead, notovertheirshoulder. To workalongsideourbetter, stronger, clearerregulations,theministry will useabroad mixofapproaches,thatgo beyondregulation,toachieveourobjectives. This includes raisingawareness ofenvironmental issues, workinginpartnershipwithall sectorstofindinnovative solutions,and negotiating inter-jurisdictional agreements. Theagendawill also promoteenvironmental protectionand conservation activitiesandtechnologieswhicharegoodfortheeconomyand will improve thecompetitiveness ofOntario businesses. For 1998-99, priorityinitiativeswill include implementingtheDriveClean program formandatory vehicleinspectionandmaintenance intheGreaterToronto AreaTlamilton corridor. DriveCleanwill reducebothsmogrelatedandclimatechangegasemissions. Wewill workwith ourpartnersinOntario's SmogPlanwho shareourcommitmentto improvingairquality. Theministrywillalsopursue commitmentsfromnearbyU.S. stateswheremorethanhalfofourairpollution originates. Wewill call upon individuals, governments, industries, and communitiesto help us developaresponsetotheKyoto Protocol on climatechangethatis rightforall Ontarians. As inthepast, theministrywill lookfor innovative, flexibleapproaches, suchas emissionsreductiontrading, to workalongsidestandardsand regulated limits. Wewillalso relyon ourpartnersto help us ensureBlueBoxandwastediversion sustainability. Wewill integratetheseinitiativeswithongoingprogramstoachieveourcorebusiness outcomesand specificperformancetargets identified laterinthisPlan. In implementingthisagenda, theministr>'will takea lead role in consultingwith and bringingtogether individualsand ourpartners inthefederal government, municipalities, environmental, and industry organizationsto help in developingnewapproachesto environmental protectionand conservation. We will improvelinkages with otherministries, particularlyresourceand health ministries, to providea consistentgovernment-wideapproachtosustainabledevelopment. Continuing to Redefine ourApproach to Delivery Focussing Compliance Oneoftheministry'sprimaryroles isto ensureindustries, institutions, individualsandmunicipalitiesare complyingwith environmental lawsand regulations. Complianceisachievedthrough anumberof activities such asrespondingto reports fromthe public on environmental incidents, reviewing applicationsforapproval, attending publicmeetings, carryingoutinspectionsand investigations, issuing ordersand layingcharges forprosecution. 05/26/2000 12:14PM Miilistrvot'tiieEnvironment http://www.gov.on.cayMBS'english/press/plansQS/env.html To deliverthispartofourmandatemoreeffectively,theministryfocusses itseffortsonareaswherethe greatestenvironmental benefitcan beachieved. Wearecontinuallydevelopingwaystoprioritizeour operationssothatresourcesgotowards dealingwithenvironmental issuesthataresignificantorposea riskto public healthas opposedto nuisancetype issues. Thisalso includesactingon issuesthathavea known oranticipated environmental effectorwhen lawsmaybeviolated. Theministrycurrentlyusesand is intheprocess ofdevelopingadditional decision-makingtools which will helpto defineand prioritizeworkattheprovincial, regional and local level. Thesetools include: providingstaffwith servicedeliveryguidelinesand workplanstoguideandprioritizetheirwork; complianceguidelinesto help staffdeal withviolations; and proceduresforrespondingto pollution incidentreportssothatstaffclearlyknowhowbestto respond. Innovative DeliveryApproaches Anotherkeyelementofbuildingastrongenvironmentalagendainvolves lookingat innovativedelivery approaches, includingnon-regulatorywaysto improveenvironmental protectionand conservation. The ministrywill continueto developand usenewapproachessuchaswatershed planning, partnership agreements, economic instruments, codesofpractices,accreditation, performance-basedregulation, mediation, and self-assessment. Thesenewapproachesarepartofaglobal trendtoward usingaabroader mixofpolicytoolsforenvironmental protection. Theyalso providean incentiveforcontinuous, cost-effectiveenvironmental improvements. Continuing to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency and Customer Service Theministrywill continueto improveoureffectivenessand efficiencyby investinginskillstrainingfor ourstaff, inbetterinformationtechnologies,andbyfocusingourfinancial andhuman resourceson priorityneeds. An ongoingreviewofourorganizational structurewill ensurethebestalignmenttosupport corebusinesses. Otheractivitiesthatwill help us betteranticipateand respondto emergingenvironmental and conservation issues include: improvingourlongtermand strategicplanningcapabilities; improving ourpolicyandscientificcapabilities; improvingstaffskills in developingpartnerships, negotiation,and programmanagement; and byimprovingourmonitoringandassessmentofenvironmental qualitysothat progress can bemeasuredandreported. KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES CORE BUSINESS: ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION nup://www.gov.on.ca/ivit3S/englisn/pres.s/plansSi8/env.mml