presentation ontario environment commissioner-february 28, 2012

Engaging Solutions

Gord Miller Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

ONEIA Feb 28, 2012

Overview

l Engaging Provincial Solutions l Biodiversity Matters l Planning Solutions l Getting on with Environment Business l Emerging Issues

Great Lakes without a COA

l  Unilaterally, Ontario could implement the following: –  Expand the Lake Simcoe protection approach to the Great Lakes; –  Get serious about combined sewer overflows; –  Report on pollutant loadings; –  Build full-cost recovery into the water taking charge; –  Unleash the potential of the Clean Water Act, 2006 –  Build on successes like the cosmetic pesticides ban; –  Ban Asian carp imports, dead or alive; –  Defend wetlands; –  Curb agricultural runoff; –  Harness a broader range of ministries to delver GL restoration;

and –  Champion the Great Lakes.

Ontario’s Great Lakes Fishery Legacy

No Data for Atlantic Salmon But they went Extinct

Unlikely Species at Risk Icon

Recognising the Need for Green Infrastructure

Stormwater: Our Neglected Headwaters

Stormwater: Our Neglected Headwaters

Cottages at Rondeau Provincial Park

Budgets at MOE + MNR as %

Waste Diversion Current Situation

l Diversion only 23% l More tonnes going to landfill l WDA review process and proposed

amendments in Limbo l Diversion funded by a strange mix of

property taxes, provincial revenues and stewards

Current Situation

l Diversion only 23% l More tonnes going to landfill l WDA review process and proposed

amendments in Limbo l Diversion funded by a strange mix of

property taxes, provincial revenues and stewards

Current Situation

l Diversion only 23% l More tonnes going to landfill l WDA review process and proposed

amendments in Limbo l Diversion funded by a strange mix of

property taxes, provincial revenues and stewards

Will Rogers …

“If Stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?”

Thank You For Your Attention