City Council is committed to a CRTK Bylaw

In 2000, City Council committed to adopting a �Community Right to Know Bylaw that empowers community members to know the location, sources and health effects of toxics in their community.� In Council�s own words, the By-law should include:

a) the collection and dissemination of information concerning
historic land use, emissions of toxic pollutants, and the use,
manufacture, disposal, and storage of toxic materials and waste.

b) inventory lists and maps of locations.

In 2005 the Toronto Board of Health directed staff to begin formal development of CRTK strategy. In July 2006 Toronto Public Health (TPH) began a pilot project at a City of Toronto printing facility and also held stakeholder consultations (for details go to http://toronto.ca/health/hphe/enviro_info.htm where you can also contribute your opinions via email, phone or fax). TEA is expecting CRTK strategic options to be outlined in the next TPH report due out in the spring 2007.

Other jurisdictions have adopted laws to give residents greater right to know and fuel reductions in the use and release of toxic chemicals.

New York, New York�s Community Right-to-Know Law requires everyone from drycleaners to chemical factories to tell the public what hazardous substances are being used on sight and in what amounts.

Eugene, Oregon Toxics Right-to-Know Charter Amendment requires companies to publicly account for what happens to all toxic chemicals coming into, being used or produced, and leaving the facility, even if that chemical is a component of a marketable product.

Massachusetts (Toxic Use Reduction Act) and New Jersey (Worker and Community Right to Know Act) require a similar public accounting of hazardous materials as Eugene, but also makes facilities develop pollution prevention plans to reduce their use and release of toxic chemicals.

Why do we need Community Right to Know?

CRTK instills the public�s right to information about hazards that may affect their lives, and places residents on equal footing with the industries that operate within their communities.

CRTK fuels industry to clean up their acts by making them keep better track of toxic chemicals and allowing public scrutiny and discussion of toxic chemical use and release. Industries strive to be more efficient, less polluting and better corporate citizens.

CRTK improves planning for emergency situations by involving the community in the discussion of what is at risk in the case of accidents like the Hamilton Plastimat Fire that can make 100s of people sick.

Workers benefit from CRTK by working together with engaged and informed communities to achieve less toxic workplaces and better health and safety standards.

Examples of CRTK Successes

The Massachusetts Toxic Use Reduction Act has resulted in a 40% decrease in the use and a 90% decrease in the release of toxic chemicals reported. Businesses found the reductions save them significant amounts of money and make them more competitive in their sector.

The New York, New York�s CRTK law have triggered major pollution prevention efforts amongst drycleaners using perchloroethylene, a known carcinogen.

In Eugene, Oregon, industries such as Forrest Paints dropped emissions by over half in just a couple of years to avoid public criticism.

Join Tea�s Community Right to Know Campaign!