More Applications of Interest: Caribou, Mining, Community Right to Know and Industrial Vibrations
Space does not permit us to summarize in this section of the Annual Report all the EBR applications for review or investigation that were processed in 2008/2009. Readers are referred to the Supplement for a description of additional EBR applications, including applications that raised the following questions. Click here to download the supplement.
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Monitoring of Woodland Caribou
Ontario’s forest-dwelling population of woodland caribou are regulated as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. Does the Ontario government have sufficient measures in place to protect this species at risk? This EBR application was submitted in October 2006; MNR committed to release a monitoring program for this species by February 2008, then the ministry postponed the release until June 2009. As of July 2009, MNR still has not gone public with a monitoring program for this iconic species (see Supplement, Section 5.4.1).
Environmental Assessment for Mining Projects
Is Ontario’s current system of environmental assessment sufficient for the mineral development process, particularly in the Far North region of the province? Are the ecological impacts of projects assessed in their entirety, from staking to reclamation and remediation, prior to any approvals being granted? MOE denied this EBR application and it has recently extended MNDM’s deadline to develop a class environmental assessment until December 2012 (see Supplement, Section 5.2.6).
Community Right to Know about Pollutants
Are individuals entitled to information about the chemicals that they are exposed to in their communities, the workplace, and in consumer goods? MOE denied this EBR application, but it advised that toxics reduction legislation would make Toxics Reduction Plans, materials accounting information and reports prepared by facilities accessible to the public (see Supplement, Section 5.2.19).
Industrial Vibrations
Are Ontarians adequately protected from the adverse impacts of vibrations both at home and in the workplace? Sounds and vibrations that cause or may cause an adverse effect are regulated under the Environmental Protection Act. This EBR investigation revealed that MOE policy effectively exempts commercial facilities from provincial noise restrictions because of a limited definition of “points of reception” (see Supplement, Section 6.1.1).
| This is an article from the 2008/09 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. |
Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2009. "More Applications of Interest: Caribou, Mining, Community Right to Know and Industrial Vibrations." Building Resilience, ECO Annual Report, 2008-09. Toronto, ON : Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 106-107.
