For immediate release:
October 21, 2008

Waste Reduction Week misses mark with Ontario Government
PC Environment Critic underlines wasted words and missed targets

Queens Park – “Welcome to waste reduction week in Ontario, the only province where the waste diversion plan creates more garbage than it diverts.”

That’s how MPP Toby Barrett introduced his comments in response to the Minister of Environment’s announcement of Waste Reduction Week at the Ontario Legislature this afternoon.

While Minister Gerretsen’s statement in the Legislature underlined more studies, reviews, and empty words about reduction goals – Barrett was quick to point out that the words were little more than the same show and sham trash that the government has trotted out in the past.

“A Stats Can survey out this summer lays it out that when it comes to McGuinty waste reduction – it’s all words and little action,” stated Barrett. “The report reveals that the diversion rate now sits at 18.7 per cent. That’s 18.7 – not 60 per cent as promised.”

Barrett later noted that the diversion rate has actually dropped a percent from when he was Environment Critic in 2004. At that time then Minister of Environment Leona Dombrowsky stated the 60 per cent reduction from landfills would be fulfilled by 2005 – only later to amend the target to 2008.

In his further response today, the Haldimand–Norfolk MPP went on to point out that Ontario’s Environment Commissioner, Gord Miller was also critical of the provincial waste reduction strategy in his 2008 annual report “Getting to K(no)w”, released earlier today.

“Today, Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner had this to say in his annual report: ‘Ontario lacks an over-arching provincial policy for waste management that would set out capacity needs, technology preferences, goals, targets and timelines.’” Barrett quoted. “And further that, ‘MOE does have a target and an approach on waste diversion, but it has become outdated.’”

- 30 –

For more information please contact MPP Barrett at 1-800-903-8629