Gouvernement
Lettre au ministre de l’Environnement, 25 juin 2000
Letter to the Minister of Environment
25 June 2000
The Honourable Dan Newman, MPP
Minister of the Ministry of the Environment
135 Street, Clair Ave., West
Toronto, ON M4V 1T5
RE: DRINKING WATER PROTECTION REGULATION
Dear Sir: The new regulations have been circulated for review to various organizations as reported by the Citizen such as the Ontario Water Works Association, PEO, CAEAL, SCC and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. One important stakeholder that was missed in this circulation is The Association of the Chemical Profession of Ontario (ACPO)
In 1984, An Act Respecting the Chemical Profession of Ontario, the ACPO, was passed in the Ontario legislature. The Act created a regulatory body to determine criteria for membership for professional chemists, and permitted sanctions against whom the association found lacking in technical skill or professional standards. The Act gave members the right to use the title Chartered Chemist whose practice is bound by a Code of Ethics to place the public welfare above all other considerations.
I have expressed the ACPO as an important stakeholder to this new regulation since the association can bring an important input to the licensure requirements on all staff at water-treatment facilities involved in water testing. The association is the designated custodian to ensure that chemistry is practiced in a safe and responsible manner in Ontario.
In Ontario, the practice of chemistry is not regulated. In essence, regardless of qualifications, anyone can practice chemistry without breaking a law. Under this condition, a chartered chemist is in a position to provide professional standard and disciplinary powers in their field of expertise on chemical analysis and testing, at the same time, being sanctioned by a recognized self-governing professional association.
The licensure of Chartered Chemist, however, will provide a significant acknowledgement by the provincial government to the people of Ontario that "test requirements of the certificates of approval for all municipal treatment facilities will not only be performed but also be managed by professional chemists".
The licensure of the Chartered Chemist has been considered for the last ten years but without success. We believe that the new "Drinking Water Protection Regulation" will provide the necessary element to address and rectify such condition which have proven necessary not only with the Walkerton incident but also with Bre-X, chemical spills and fire emergencies. We would be abdicating our responsibility if we fail to request the application of such basic principle, already regulated in Québec. To do otherwise would continue jeopardize the safeguarding of life, health, property or the public welfare.
We truly hope that you will give your careful consideration to the role that the ACPO can contribute in support of the new regulation. We would welcome the opportunity to make a presentation before your Ministry and further discuss our association in detail.
Respectfully yours,
Edgardo J. Alvarez, P.Eng., C. Chem.
President, ACPO
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