Pollution needs solutions, not excuses: OPSEU

TORONTO - The union representing Ontario’s environmental protection workers says it’s time the Mike Harris government quit making excuses and started solving Ontario’s environmental crisis.

"Today’s report by the Commission on Environmental Co-operation rates our province as the second most polluted jurisdiction in North America," noted Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "Under any other government this would be a source of shame and a call to action," she said. "Under this government, apparently, it’s a non-event."

Since 1995, the Mike Harris government has cut funding and staffing in the Ministry of the Environment by 45 per cent, Casselman said. At the same time, the Tories have weakened just about every environmental law on the books and moved to "self-regulation" by polluters.

"Asking polluters to regulate themselves is the same as asking speeders to turn themselves in to the next OPP station," she said. "Self-regulation is no regulation at all."

"I think most Ontarians know what the solution to pollution is," she said. "It’s strong environmental laws and strong enforcement of those laws.

"Unfortunately, Mike Harris thinks clean air to breathe and safe water to drink are a barrier to investment," Casselman said. "Ontario doesn’t need the kind of investment that only lands here because we’re a cheap place to dump toxins."

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For more information: Randy Robinson (416) 448-7441

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