Proposal
Stewardship – Leadership – Accountability. Managing Ontario’s Water Resources for Future Generations
Regulation Number(s):
Instrument Type:
Proposal
Bill or Act:
Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990
Summary of Proposal:
Water supports a diverse economy, population and ecosystem in Ontario and the province has a strong history in managing our water in a sustainable way. In the face of current and future stresses to water quantity, such as population growth and climate change, some aspects of water management in Ontario need to be enhanced.
The ministries of the Environment and Natural Resources have developed proposals for enhancing three (3) key elements of water management in Ontario:
1. Developing a water conservation and efficiency strategy for Ontario, as committed to under the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement;
2. Strengthening the regulation of new and increased intra-basin transfers (transfers of water from the watershed of one Great Lake to another) according to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement; and
3. Implementing ‘Phase 2’ of the province’s water charges program that would extend the existing charge to medium and low consumptive commercial and industrial users.
Two (2) of these elements – developing a water conservation and efficiency strategy and implementing Phase 2 of the water charges program – would apply throughout Ontario. The proposal for managing new and increased intra-basin transfers would apply only to surface water and groundwater resources within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.
The ministries of the Environment and Natural Resources have developed proposals for enhancing three (3) key elements of water management in Ontario:
1. Developing a water conservation and efficiency strategy for Ontario, as committed to under the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement;
2. Strengthening the regulation of new and increased intra-basin transfers (transfers of water from the watershed of one Great Lake to another) according to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement; and
3. Implementing ‘Phase 2’ of the province’s water charges program that would extend the existing charge to medium and low consumptive commercial and industrial users.
Two (2) of these elements – developing a water conservation and efficiency strategy and implementing Phase 2 of the water charges program – would apply throughout Ontario. The proposal for managing new and increased intra-basin transfers would apply only to surface water and groundwater resources within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
09-MOE009
Posting Date:
August 10, 2009
Comments Due Date:
October 4, 2009