On April 7, 2009 the Government of Ontario introduced their proposed Toxics Reduction Act - Bill 167.

The Bill sets out a framework for toxics reduction action by facilities. It would require facilities to track and quantify the toxics they use and create, to develop plans to reduce toxics, and to report to the government. This information would be available to the public, while respecting business confidentiality.

Toxics reduction planning is a proven approach to reducing toxics use while allowing businesses to identify operational efficiencies, costs savings and opportunities to improve their competitive advantage in markets which are increasingly demanding greener products.

The Bill would allow the Ontario government to collect information from facilities on substances of concern, which are substances potentially harmful to human health and the environment for which little data is currently available.

The Bill also includes regulation-making authority to prohibit or regulate the manufacture, sale or distribution of a toxic substance or consumer products that contain the substance and to require the manufacturer, seller or distributor to provide notice to the public.

Informing Ontarians

A key objective of the Bill is to inform Ontarians about toxic substances. It would require facilities to disclose information about the toxic substances they use and create, prepare summaries of their plans to reduce toxics, and their progress under these plans.

The Ontario government plans to establish an electronic reporting system and a web site which would enable Ontarians to monitor toxics use and releases in their communities, as well as actions taken by facilities to reduce toxics. The government also plans to provide Ontarians with the necessary knowledge to make informed choices and support a domestic market shift to greener products.

Read the government's proposed Toxics Reduction Strategy.
Bill 167 - The Toxics Reduction Act.
Bill 167 Backgrounder.
Bill 167 Compendium (April 2009).

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To read more information about the government’s Toxics Reduction Strategy please visit their website: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/toxics/index.php