Environment
Via email, the environment ministry defended its “sensible, practical changes” to the environmental assessment process as a way to cut development delays and argued it only supports projects, including new highways, that are “fully protective of the environment.”
While the PC government’s “made in Ontario environment plan” has earned plenty of criticism, it also featured some popular local changes. Those include a regulatory crackdown on illegally dumped development dirt — the kind of problem that created a contaminated mountain at Waterdown Garden Supplies — and stricter reporting requirements for sewage spills.
The government also matched federal funding for a resurrected $3.4-billion light rail transit line in Hamilton — but only after controversially cancelling the project in the first place over budget concerns in 2019.
Here’s a pre-vote refresher on highprofile government decisions with environmental consequences:
Renewable energy
Ontario cancelled 758 renewable-energy contracts in 2018, including would-be Hamilton solar projects planned by the city and Alectra Utilities. The move cost $230 million, but the government argued it would save taxpayers money.
Cap and trade cancellation
Killing Ontario’s original carbon capand-trade program was controversial — as was the futile court battle against the federal carbon tax. Ending cap-andtrade also initially killed a valued source of cash for Hamilton initiatives, including a cycling fund that helped pay for the Claremont multi-use trail and a green social housing program.
The Greenbelt
Before becoming premier, Doug Ford told party supporters he would open a “big chunk” of protected Greenbelt lands to development — but backtracked in the face of public outrage. The government has now vowed to grow the Greenbelt, but that hasn’t stopped new highway plans through the protected land. A local coalition is calling on the next government to add unprotected Hamilton farmlands to the Greenbelt.
Urban boundary
The province has threatened to overrule a city council decision against expanding its urban boundary — if not by ministerial fiat, then by seeking a ruling from the Ontario Land Tribunal. The Tory government (and city planners) have said Hamilton must grow outward to build needed housing. Local advocates say avoiding “sprawl” will preserve scarce farm and wetlands, and encourage responsible development in already-serviced areas.
Polluted soil
The Tories passed new legislation, first pitched by the former Liberal government, meant to track and prevent the illegal dumping of polluted soil excavated from development projects. That’s a big deal for rural Hamilton residents who endured years of illegal dumping of mystery dirt from out-of-town condo digs. But the government has now proposed delaying implementation of some regulations until next year.
Conservation authorities
In 2020, the province passed legislation to overhaul the mandate and powers of conservation authorities responsible for watershed protection. The new law, in theory, gives a minister the ability to approve developments without input from conservation authorities. It also
forces the agencies to negotiate funding agreements for “non-core” programs.
The government argued the changes were needed for agencies that had “strayed from their mandate” of flood protection. However, the government also cut flood control budgets in 2019 — the same year Hamilton was deluged by record-high Lake Ontario levels.
Species at Risk
Last year, the government announced a Species at Risk Conservation Fund meant to provide “greater flexibility” and “shorten timelines” for developers with projects that could harm habitat for endangered plants or animals. Critics dubbed it a “pay to slay” fund, since it offers the option to pay a fee in lieu of taking specific actions to replace habitat.
Party platform highlights
Here are a few notable environmental promises from four major parties. Check out specific platforms for more details:
Green Party Aim for “net carbon neutral” by 2050 with binding emissions targets, an annual carbon budget and carbon fee-and-dividend plan; focus on electrifying transportation, retrofitting
buildings; axe Highway 413 and Bradford bypass. Visit gpo.ca/climate.
Liberal Cut carbon pollution in half by 2030, temporarily slash transit prices, offer incentives for electric vehicle purchases and home retrofits, expand Greenbelt, axe Highway 413 (but not necessarily Bradford bypass). Visit ontarioliberal.ca/environment-plan.
NDP Reintroduce cap-and-trade program to help cut carbon emissions by half by 2030 and reach “net zero” by 2050; electrify transit, retrofit buildings and create new green jobs; kill Highway 413 and Bradford bypass. Visit ontariondp.ca/platform.
PC Carbon emissions cuts of 30 per cent by 2030; investments in subways, LRT and electric car manufacturing; Greenbelt expanded to include publicly owned river valleys; “streamlined” environmental assessment for new highways. Visit ontariopc.ca (no specific online environmental election platform yet).