EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 30 of the Ontario Water Resources Act currently requires the Ministry to be notified when polluting material is discharged or escapes. The Bill amends this section to require the Ministry to in turn notify the public of the discharge or escape in accordance with the regulations.

Bill 198 2020

An Act to amend the Ontario Water Resources Act with respect to public reporting on the discharge or escape of polluting material

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

1 Section 30 of the Ontario Water Resources Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Ministry to notify public

(3)  Upon being notified of a discharge or escape under subsection (2), the Ministry shall forthwith notify the public of the discharge or escape, as the case may be, in accordance with the regulations.

2 Subsection 75 (1) of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

   (c)  prescribing, for the purposes of subsection 30 (3), the manner in which the Ministry is required to notify the public of a discharge or escape and the information respecting the discharge or escape to be made public;

Commencement

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

Short title

4 The short title of this Act is the Cootes Paradise Water Accountability Act, 2020.