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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BROWNFIELDS: PUBLIC AT RISK BY THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT?
TORONTO, ON (February 20, 2008) -- The Association of Professional Chemists of Ontario (ACPO) believes that proposed amendments to Regulation 153/04 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) governing brownfields, places the safety and welfare of the public at risk.
Brownfields are properties that are contaminated with chemicals that are being cleaned-up for residential housing, public parks, schools and daycare centres. The responsibility for the assessment and clean-up of these contaminated sites rests with professionals (called Qualified Persons) who have the knowledge, experience and skills that will ensure that the safety and welfare of the public is not jeopardized.
A major part of this work requires professionals who are experienced with chemistry and chemical principles. For this reason, professional chemists are designated Qualified Persons and are able to take responsibility for such projects, and sign-off on reports regarding the redevelopment of brownfields.
The Government of Ontario is now proposing to change who may be a Qualified Person, and disqualify professional chemists whose Scope of Practice includes the application of chemical principles for environmental work. The general public is thus obviously justified to question the reasoning behind such an ill-advised decision.
We believe that the Government of Ontario has made a grave mistake in bringing these amendments to the Environmental Protection Act without timely and thorough consultation with all stakeholders. We urge the Ministry of the Environment to reconsider its decision and consult with the public and all professionals who work in this area in a cooperative and open manner.
The safety and welfare of the public must be paramount in any decision as to who will be designated as Qualified Persons. Consequently, the Government of Ontario must:
- Suspend its proposed amendments to Regulation 153/04,
- Set a time frame of no less than one (1) year to consult fully with the general public and all professional organizations whose members are currently designated Qualified Persons.
The safety and welfare of the public must be the overriding consideration in any decision regarding who is allowed to be a Qualified Person in the development of Brownfields in all areas of science, including chemistry
We encourage concerned citizens and residents of Ontario to contact their MPPs, and voice their concerns, and to send their comments to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE).
Contact information:
MOE Web site: www.ene.gov.on.caMPPs Contact Information
ACPO Web site: acpo.on.ca
ACPO President, David Naranjit: president@acpo.on.ca ; 416-364-4609