The Ontario Government is hoping for quick action on four important proposed environmental bills currently stalled on the order paper. Given the instability of the current minority Government, there may only be a small window of opportunity to pass these proposed statutes before a provincial election is called (or forced):
- Bill 6, the Great Lakes Protection Act, will establish a new Great Lakes Guardians' Council and require "public bodies" to undertake certain initiatives to protect and restore the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
- Bill 83, the Protection of Public Participation Act, will create a fast track judicial process for identifying and dismissing "strategic lawsuits against public participation" ( SLAPPs)
- Bill 91, the Waste Reduction Act, will replace the current act with one based on "individual producer responsibility" and a revamped Blue Box funding formula
- Bill 138, the Ending Coal for Cleaner Air Act, will add Part VI.1 to the Environmental Protection Act to prohibit the use of coal to generate electricity at certain specified facilities after December 31, 2014.
Environment Minister Requests Programming Motion
Environment Minister Jim Bradley has asked the opposition NDP to support a "programming motion". This may untangle the procedural deadlock and "secure quick passage" for the proposed environmental legislation. The motion will serve to:
- Schedule committee meetings for Bill 6, the Great Lakes Protection Act, then schedule two hours of Third Reading debate followed by a final vote
- Send Bill 83, the Protection of Public Participation Act, to an immediate Second Reading vote, then schedule committee hearings followed by two hours of Third Reading debate and a final vote
- Send Bill 91, the Waste Reduction Act, to committee where the Government will table amendments
- Send Bill 138, the Ending Coal for Cleaner Air Act, to committee.
Current Status of Bills
| Bill | Status | Willms & Shier Law Report |
| Bill 6, Great Lakes Protection Act | 1st Reading Feb. 25, 2013, carried 2nd Reading on Oct. 9, 2013, and sent to Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills | See June 2012 publication |
| Bill 83, Protection of Public Participation Act | 1st Reading June 4,2013, subject to 5 days of 2nd Reading debate | See September 2013 Publication |
| Bill 91, Waste Reduction Act | 1st Reading June 6, 2013, subject to 16 days of 2nd Reading debate | See June 2013 publication |
| Bill 138, Ending Coal for Cleaner Air Act | 1st Reading Nov. 25, 2013 |
We will report on future developments as they arise.
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