In this edition:

1. Victory! Provincial Government Bans Used Oil Burning
2. Provincial NDP introduce Community Right to Know Act
3. Toronto’s New Council - Up To The Environmental Challenge?
4. Update on Toronto Public Health’s “Access to Environmental Information” Strategy
5. Upcoming CRTK Citizen’s Guide Workshop - You’re Invited!

1. Provincial Government Bans Used Oil Burning

On Thursday, January 11th, the Ontario government introduced a draft
regulation to ban the burning of used oil in space heaters. Burning used
oil releases highly toxic pollutants into our air and the ban will serve to
better protect public health and the environment. About 700 facilities such
as auto repair centres and dealerships throughout Ontario burn the
equivalent of 2.5 million oil changes for heat. They will have until June
1, 2009 to divert their used oil rather than discharging it into the
environment. No new approvals will be issued.

In the spring of 2006, TEA disclosed information on over 40 facilities in
Toronto that have the right to burn motor oil (see map attachment below)
even though the City of Toronto passed a bylaw banning the practice in 2000.
TEA’s disclosure triggered outcry from the City of Toronto and resident
groups; thank you for lending your voice and taking action on this campaign!
The ban will not only improve air quality but will also remove a potential
health threat to workers and local residents.


2. Provincial NDP introduce Community Right to Know Act

ACT REQUIRING LABELLING OF CARCINOGENS IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS PASSES SECOND
READING

In early December, the Ontario legislature took another step forward towards
making Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to identify carcinogens on
consumer product labels, and to give communities comprehensive information
about pollutants emitted into their environment by passing the Community
Right to Know Act, Bill 164, at second reading. Tabled by NDP Environment
Critic Peter Tabuns, this legislation has now been directed to go to the
Regulations and Private Bills committee.

Community Right to Know legislation is a fixture in jurisdictions like
California, Vermont, and the European Union, in contrast, Ontario and Canada
as whole lag far behind.