H 
New (Improved?) Qovernment for Ontario 
by Michael Murphy 
Sines September 6th, the Province of Ontario has had a 
new government. A new government offers us our best 
sossibie opportunity to implement long-awaited policies 
'or the environment and the protection of natural areas. 
IDP Election Platform 
The Provincial Council of the NDP adopted a policy 
statement called “Greening the Party, Greening the 
Province” in June 1990. This statement recognized certain 
important truths about the relationship between the 
economy and the complex ecosystems in which we live. 
The NDP pledged to establish an environmental “Super¬ 
fund" to dean up toxic waste, to be financed by levy on 
corporate chemical producers. They promised to expanc 
the add rain control program and to develop employment 
protection measures for those affected by pollution reduc¬ 
tion programs. 
In August 1990, Bob Rae personally responded on behalf of 
the NDP to an eight-point plan for the environment in 
Ontario that had been put forward by Greenpeace anc 
other environmental groups. The NDP supported every 
recommendation, including: 
- to achieve zero discharge of toxic chemicals into the air 
and water by year 2000 
- to ban toxic organochlorine dumping by the pulp anc 
paper industry by 1990 
- to enact the Environmental Bill of Rights immediately 
Such polides are important to everyone, but the Ottawa 
Field-Naturalists' Club will be especially interested in 
proposed polides for the natural environment, such as: 
- to improve and strengthen the Environmental Assess¬ 
ment Act to apply to all medium and large-scale private 
sector developments 
- to place the burden of proof in land use proposals on 
developers by requiring them to prove their developments 
will not harm sensitive habitats 
- to make the Ministry of Natural Resources an advocate 
and protector of the environment by establishing local 
resource authorities composed of representatives from 
spedal interest groups such as the OFNC 
- to complete the provindal parks system to represent the 
56% of Ontario’s natural regions not yet protected 
- to officially endorse the Canadian Wilderness Charter, 
drawn up by World Wildlife Fund Canada, and to establish 
a system of protected areas representative of the natural 
features of the province, particularly in Southern Ontario 
- to reform the land development process and the Ontario 
nidpal Board to better protect wetlands, Areas of 
:urai and Scientific Interest and endangered species 
Mun 
jNati 
- to pursue the inventory of Ontario’s forests, and increase 
replanting of more diversified forest stands 
- to manage forests as ecosystems and aggressively 
pursue alternative social and economic uses of forests 
Who’s Who in the New Government 
The new premier, Bob Rae, supports the concept of citizen 
intervene* funding for regulatory hearings such as the 
Ontario Municipal Board. He guarantees the freedom of 
expression and “whistle-blowing” protection for public anc 
arivate sector employees. 
The new Minister of Natural Resources is Bud Wildman. He 
ias been the MPP for Algoma for the past 15 years and is 
one of the most experienced members of the NDP 
Caucus. His top priority is recognition of native rights anc 
native self government but he has also stated that he 
relieves in the necessity of preserving the forests anc 
other natural resources for future generations. 
Ruth Grier is the new Minister of the Environment. She was 
the NDP Environment Critic and was the author of the 1966 
Environmental Bill of Rights upon which the environmental 
solicy for the NDP election campaign was based. The bill 
was introduced in 1966 and received second reading in 
June 1969, which gave it approval in principle. Unfor¬ 
tunately, the Liberal Government blocked the referral of the 
bill to the public hearing process necessary for it to 
become law. Ms. Grier is the MPP for Etobicoke- 
Lakeshore. 
The only locally-elected MPP who forms part of the new 
(NDP government is Evelyn Gigantes. She is the new 
Minister of Health in addition to her local responsibilities 
within her riding of Ottawa Centre. We have reason to 
lope she won’t be too busy to listen to our concerns as 
well. 
The throne speech was made on November 20th and the 
(NDP government has not shown any evidence of breaking 
any of these promises - yet. 
Obtain a complete copy of “Greening the Party, Greening 
the Province: A Vision for the Ontario NDP” by writing: 
NDP Research, 
Room 218 North, 
Legislative Building, 
Queen’s Park, 
TORONTO, 
M7A 1A2 
S The SKEEN TINE News Editor: 
Michael Murphy 
( 613 ) 727-1739 
The OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB 
