TORONTO, June 2 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society is concerned that Bill 167, Ontario's Toxics Reduction Act, has emerged from committee hearings lacking the key amendments to ensure its effectiveness.

"We're disappointed at the lack of teeth in the proposed legislation," says the Honourable Susan Whelan, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "As it stands now, Bill 167 will not live up to the government's commitment to reduce the use and release of toxic substances in Ontario."

The Society along with environment, labour and other health groups have been calling for measures to strengthen Bill 167.

"While we support the Ontario government's commitment to reducing toxic substances, we are concerned that without targets, mandatory substitution of safe alternatives and a toxic use reduction institute, this bill may not provide Ontario workers and the public with strong protection from exposure to toxic chemicals, including cancer-causing substances," says Whelan.

Since May 2008, members of the Take Charge on Toxics campaign have been calling on government to ensure toxic use reduction integrates the best in health protection with a concern for a sustainable economy, a clean environment and good jobs.

To achieve this goal, the following amendments to Bill 167 are needed:
 

• REDUCE the release of toxic chemicals in places where people live, work and play to protect public health.
  • Bill 167 should include numerical goals or targets for reducing toxic chemicals in Ontario.
• REPLACE toxic chemicals where safer alternatives exist.
  • Bill 167 should make substitution a requirement where safer alternatives exist.
• RESTRICT the use of toxic chemicals that are still in use through guidance from a provincial toxic use reduction institute.
  • An institute was an important component to the success of Massachusetts's toxic use reduction legislation and should be included in Bill 167.
• REPORT annually on progress and monitor emissions, holding industry accountable to reduce their use of toxic substances through the development and enforcement of new regulations.
  • Setting targets and the development of an institute will help hold industry accountable by the government and the public.
• REVEAL to all Ontarians the toxic chemicals in their workplace, community and homes through an identifiable product label or symbol and access to a public database.
  • Bill 167 should be amended to include a component for product labelling.

Not only are the above recommendations best practices from the U.S. and the EU, the Ministry of Environment's Toxics Reduction Scientific Expert Panel also recommended setting targets and highlighted the importance of a toxic use reduction institute. The Expert Panel's reports can be viewed at: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/toxics/panel.php.

Since the above amendments were not made during committee, the Society calls on the Government of Ontario to ensure they are addressed through the development of regulations to ensure Ontarians are protected for exposure to toxics substances.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.