Updates to Ontario's Drinking Water Quality Standards and other regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, related to: lead in schools and day nurseries; drinking water systems; drinking water testing services; and drinking water operator certification

Deadline: October 7 2016

Ontario has established a comprehensive safety net for drinking water with a source to tap focus. This multi-barrier approach includes a strong legislative and regulatory framework, health-based standards for drinking water, regular and reliable testing, swift strong action on adverse water quality incidents, mandatory licensing, operator certification and training requirements, a multi-faceted compliance improvement toolkit, and partnership, transparency and public engagement. 

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (the ministry) is seeking input on a proposal to amend the following regulations (and support documents) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002:

• O. Reg. 169/03: Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards and the Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
• O. Reg. 243/07: Schools, Private Schools and Day Nurseries
• O. Reg. 170/03: Drinking Water Systems
• O. Reg. 248/03: Drinking Water Testing Services 
• O. Reg. 128/04: Certification of Drinking Water System Operators and Water Quality Analysts 
  

With respect to the proposed changes to O. Reg. 169/03, the ministry is seeking stakeholder input on the “Technical Discussion Paper on Proposed Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards and Aesthetic Objectives” (hereafter “Technical Discussion Paper”) that proposes regulatory amendments to Schedule 2 of O. Reg. 169/03. 

The ministry is also seeking feedback on the proposed regulatory amendments intended to: further protect children from lead in drinking water; improve reporting requirements; streamline operator certification requirements; and correct and clarify regulatory language where ambiguous or out dated references exist.

The proposed changes fall into five main groups and are explained in detail here.

Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review

Deadline: September 30 2016

USEFUL RESOURCES:

1)  Planning for Health, Prosperity and Growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe: 2015-2041

Recommendations of the Advisory Panel on the Coordinated Review of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan

2) Shaping Land Use in the Greater Golden Horseshoe

 A Guide to Proposed Changes to: The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe; The Greenbelt Plan; The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and The Niagara Escarpment Plan

In the spring of 2015, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry initiated a co-ordinated review of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan.

We are pleased to inform you of the release of changes to these four plans and invite you to provide input. These proposals were informed by the feedback we received from the public, municipalities, Indigenous communities, stakeholders and the Advisory Panel appointed to propose recommendations on how to make the plans better.

Please visit our website at www.ontario.ca/landuseplanningreview to find Shaping Land Use in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, a guide to proposed changes to the land use plans and the four proposed revised plans. Information on how to provide input, as well as the dates and locations of public open houses will also be available on our website.

Community Hubs

Deadline: N/A

In March 2015, the Premier of Ontario appointed Karen Pitre as Special Advisor on Community Hubs and members to the Premier’s Community Hub Framework Advisory Group.

The Special Advisor and the Advisory Group reviewed provincial policies and has developed a framework for adapting existing public assets to become community hubs. More information can be found on the new community hubs website: http://www.ontario.ca/communityhubs.

If you have an interest in providing input and feedback to help guide the Special Advisor and Advisory Group’s work, please:

1.    Provide a written submission by e-mail to community.hubs@ontario.ca; and/or

2.    Answer questions using the online consultation form on the new website, located at http://www.ontario.ca/communityhubs. The form includes space for any additional feedback.