Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner accused the
government of cheap talk and no action on pressing environmental issues
that affect our communities and our quality of life.
The
Environment Commissioner Ontario’s (ECO) annual report raises serious
concerns about the government’s failure to divert waste, protect species
at risk and clean up the Great Lakes.
The ECO
report shows that waste diversion in the industrial, commercial and
institutional sector has remained constant for a decade. With a
diversion rate of 23 percent, the province has failed miserably to meet
its 60 percent diversion target.
“The Liberal
government is dragging their feet on incentives that will reduce waste
and save money,” says Schreiner. “We need to take pressure off
landfills and municipal budgets. Industry should pay for the waste it
produces, not property taxpayers.”
Schreiner
shares ECO concerns that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the
Ministry of Environment don’t have the resources to monitor developments
such as the Melancthon mega-quarry that threaten our water and natural
heritage.
“In tough financial times, we need
creative solutions that won’t affect general revenues. The Green Party
supports increasing the ridiculously low fees for mining aggregates to
fund monitoring and land rehabilitation while encouraging re-use and
recycling,” said Schreiner.
Ontario’s fees for
mining aggregates are only 11.5 cents/tonne. By comparison, fees in the
UK are equivalent to about $3.40/tonne.
Schreiner
is pushing the government to partner with landowners to deliver
low-cost solutions that protect endangered species. The Green Party
supports policies, like a safe harbor program, to encourage landowners
to voluntarily take steps to protect endangered species.
“We
can’t stand idly by while environmental issues threaten our water, land
and natural heritage,” says Schreiner. “Talk without action is cheap.
We need real solutions to build a sustainable economy that supports
strong communities.”
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