Various initiatives continue to support the Toxics Reduction Program and the development of the green economy. Toxics Substance Reduction Planners continue to play an important role in reviewing and providing advice to facilities to strengthen their toxic substance reduction plans. More broadly, initiatives under the program have contributed to the provincial goals of fostering an economy that creates a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Compliance

Ontario uses a graduated compliance approach to ensure facilities are complying with the reporting, planning and public posting requirements of the Toxics Reduction Act and regulation. Compliance rates show that 98% of the expected facilities were or became compliant with the requirements under the act and regulation for the 2013 reporting year. Data for the 2014 reporting year was reported by June 1, 2015, and quality control checks were performed to ensure its accuracy. Compliance activities are now underway for the 2014 reporting year.

Licensed toxic substance reduction planners

Under the Toxics Reduction Act, toxics reduction plans must be certified by a licensed Toxic Substance Reduction Planner. As of April 1, 2016 there were 295 certified planners in Ontario.

Visit Toxic Substance Reduction Planner Licensing for more information.

Growing the green economy

The field of Green Chemistry and Engineering provides industry with sustainable products and process alternatives to help meet advancing market demands. This in turn leads to enhancements in sustainability, improvements to human health, and drives Ontario’s economy forward.

In 2010, Ontario provided funding over five years to support two research Chairs, Dr. Suresh Narine from Trent University and Dr. Michael Cunningham from Queens University, to encourage the design of chemical products and processes that are safe, energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. The Chairs have built significant capacity in their specific areas of research. Read Dr. Suresh Narine’s final report, and Dr. Michael Cunningham’s final report. GreenCentre Canada was created in 2009 and has been at the forefront of developing and implementing chemistry technologies that reduce the amount of toxic substances used, created and released to the environment.   GreenCentre Canada helps companies to introduce greener products and processes in the global marketplace. Please visit GreenCentre Canada to learn more about their programs.

Education and outreach on substances

Ontario continues to work with partners to bring better information to Ontarians on toxic substances. Under the Canada Ontario Agreement Harmful Pollutants Annex, the ministry has supported education and outreach projects managed by Pollution Probe and Environmental Defence Canada to increase public awareness of toxic substances in everyday consumer products and to engage and educate the public on contaminants with direct environmental and human health impacts.

  • Pollution Probe has completed a video challenge under the EduTox program, a competition designed for youth (ages 14-22) to create short videos on toxic substances encountered in their day-to-day lives. A list of submissions is available here.
  • Environmental Defence Canada has developed 30,000 wallet cards and is holding community workshops and conducting school outreach by engaging teachers and student clubs.