For immediate release:
October 6, 2009

Environmental Commissioner underlines rural concerns

Simcoe – Haldimand Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett says the release of the Environmental Commissioner’s annual report points to a series of issues impacting rural Ontario.

Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) released Building Resilience earlier today at Queens Park.

“From citing caution regarding soil erosion, to land use planning, excessive phosphorous levels in waterways, and the future direction of pesticide bans, the ECO report focuses on a series of concerns calling for government action,” stated Barrett.

With regard to soil erosion, Opposition Environment Critic Barrett went on to point out that farmers and rural landowners have long debated and researched soil loss concerns – agreeing with Mr. Miller that it’s time government turn its attention to the issue.

Barrett further noted that the annual report calls for the closure of Richmond Landfill in Napanee, adding that Richmond is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to waste management concerns.

“We once again are staring down the barrel of a waste management crisis,” Barrett noted. “Given that we are nowhere near government’s 60 per cent waste diversion target, the Toronto to Michigan garbage contract ends in 2010, and landfills across the province are nearing capacity, how we handle our waste is again emerging as one of the top issues impacting our environment.”

The Environmental Commissioner’s report can be found at www.eco.on.ca

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