An Act to amend the Ontario Water Resources Act with respect to water taking permit notification

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. Section 34 of the Ontario Water Resources Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Mandatory consultation

(5.1) If the Director receives an application for a permit to take water that, if granted, will affect or is likely to affect the water supply of a municipality or conservation authority, the Director shall give it notice of the application.

Same

(5.2) The municipality or conservation authority has 30 days, or such other period as the Director may permit, from receipt of the notice to provide the Director with its observations, if any, on the application, and the Director shall take them into account in deciding whether to issue the permit.

Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the Ontario Water Resources Amendment Act (Water Taking Permit Notification), 2000.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The purpose of the Bill is to require the Director to notify a municipality or conservation authority of an application for a permit to take water that, if granted, will affect or is likely to affect its water supply.