PC plan will provide incentives to eliminate toxins, requires businesses disclose chemicals

(Queen's Park) - Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today joined PC Environment Critic Laurie Scott to announce a made-in-Ontario plan to reduce toxins by working with the federal government and business across the province.

"Toxic contaminants are a serious problem - one that has been building over too many years. It's time that we took action and our plan will do exactly that," said Tory. "In an era of rising cancer rates, it is vital that government, businesses, and individuals work together to reduce, and wherever possible, completely eliminate the use of these substances and the health hazards they represent."

Tory announced a PC government would implement a plan using both carrot and stick measures to reduce and eliminate toxic contaminants by:

• Working in harmony with the federal government to utilize the federal list of toxic substances which identifies the higher risk chemicals currently used by Canadian businesses;

• Requiring every Ontario business that uses a restricted chemical on the federal list to disclose their use of that chemical to the public;

• Requiring businesses to prepare a plan which evaluates all of their options for reducing or eliminating the use of these toxins. The implementation will be left up to the individual operation;

• Providing incentives for these businesses to adopt their plans and reduce the use of these chemicals by establishing a Toxin Reduction Fund, and through measures such as targeted tax measures;

• Share best practices to help small businesses learn from others how to take steps to eliminate these toxins by creating an online idea bank where entrepreneurs can learn first hand from what similar businesses have achieved, inside and outside of Ontario.

"While we don't expect the results of this morning's test for some time, I know we won't like the results we see," said Tory. "With a little push and some new ideas, we can create some big change. All it takes is leadership.

"This is the kind of leadership our environment needs," said Tory. "It's the kind of leadership we have not yet seen from Dalton McGuinty. The kind of leadership we will provide if the people of Ontario entrust us with government on October 10."

Backgrounder

John Tory's Made-in-Ontario Plan to Reduce Toxins 

A John Tory PC Government will implement a Made-in-Ontario Toxin Reduction strategy, working closely with the federal government, which will encourage businesses in Ontario to reduce or remove toxic substances in their products.

How it will work:

• The toxin reduction strategy will require that businesses develop plans to reduce, replace or eliminate the toxins they use in their products. These businesses will also have to make the toxins they use public and periodically update their plans.

• A John Tory government will work hard with Ontario businesses to help them achieve success through this strategy. We will look at methods such as a Toxic Contaminant Reduction Fund to provide grants or targeted tax credits to incent businesses to reduce their use of toxins wherever possible.

• Our plan draws from successful programs in other jurisdiction (ex. Massachusetts, Oregon and New Jersey) but it will be made-in -Ontario, respecting the unique characteristics of Ontario's economy.

• The toxin reduction strategy will be based on the Federal governments list of toxic substances. It will build on federal regulatory advances by putting them into action in a practical way and it will be constantly harmonized with those advances to ensure seamless and consistent application.

• The John Tory toxin reduction strategy is unique because it actively partners with business. At the same time it will clean up our environment and better protect our health.

Chemicals can enter the environment through their production, use or disposal, and can be found in all parts of the environment--air, water, soil and living organisms. Many kinds and levels of chemical substances released to our air, water and soil are easily absorbed and do not pose a threat However, some chemical substances released by accident can be very dangerous. (Government of Canada)

Some chemical substances can burn or poison people on contact. Others can cause serious long-term illnesses such as cancer. The risk depends on what the chemical substance is, the quantity required to cause effects, the amount and length of time of exposure, and how that exposure takes place (in food or air or water, for example). (Government of Canada)

More about:

The Massachusetts Model (Toxic Use Reduction Act)

The Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) requires Massachusetts companies that use specified quantities of listed toxic chemicals to evaluate pollution prevention opportunities, implement them if practical, and measure and report their results on an annual basis. They must also evaluate their efforts and update their toxics use reduction plans every other year.

Since the act was introduced in 1989 the program has been deemed a success:

• 50 % reduction in the generation of hazardous waste,
• 40 % reduction in the use of toxic chemicals and
• 30 % reduction in emissions.
• A cost benefit analysis of the Act showed savings of over $14 M to companies.

Decorated Products Inc., based in Westfield, Mass., is a maker of high-quality nameplates, labels and signs, came up with an idea for eliminating wastewater discharges entirely. By accessing the resources made available through the Massachusetts program, they were able to:

• Eliminated 6,000 gallons of wastewater discharges per year
• Saved about $220,000 US annually.

Success Stories - Oregon

A successful business expansion by Marathon Coach created more assets for the company, but also doubled their generation of hazardous waste. Marathon turned to Oregon's Toxic Reduction program resources for help. Using the programs recommendations, Marathon began distilling and recycling all waste cleaning solvent, eliminated the use of other solvents and decreased the number of cleaning stations at the facility. The results:

• Purchases of toxic chemicals were reduced by 11,000 lbs /year;
• Hazardous wastes generation was reduced by 5,000 lbs /year; and
• Cost savings of $20,000/year were realized.