The environmental assessment process does not represent unnecessary bureauacracy or red-tape. Canada has been blessed with a wealth of natural resources which contribute substantially to our health, our happiness and quality of life. Economic progress often involves the destruction of these resources which, once gone, are either gone forever or extremely costly to repair or replace. So, before we make a decision whether or not to proceed with a development project, shouldn’t we take the time to fully understand the environmental impact on air and water quality, on ecosystem service delivery, on carbon emissions, and on the lives of those directly or indirectly impacted by the damages that project will create?

The Ford Government has been back in the legislature for less than a week yet it is already tabling legislation and putting forward proposals which will create further environmental damage in our communities. Bill 140 (the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026), was introduced on October 27th. It’s stated purpose is to streamline infrastructure and development approvals, a common theme of many of this government’s omnibus bills. True to form, however, the impact of this bill will be to encourage increased levels of pollution in the province by reducing or eliminating environmental protection guardrails and making it more difficult for the public and other stakeholders to have their positions heard.

If passed, Bill 140 would:

Proposed change	Why it matters
Blue box program Remove the requirement for producers to handle certain waste products such as flexible plastics, including plastic bags, wrappers and film. Remove the requirement to collect bagged or baled overflow materials placed outside of Blue Box receptacles.	Producers would not be incentivized to reduce plastic packaging or change the chemistry to make these products more recyclable. More of these products will end up in landfill, (or burned), with cost being borne by the municipalities contrary to the purpose of the program.
Environmental Assessment Act Exempt landfill applications from municipal support requirements Exempts the proposed expansion of highway 69 from advanced environmental assessments	Makes it easier to build new landfill locations taking pressure off of municipalities and producers to reduce, reuse, recycle waste. Construction of the highway could commence before environmental reviews and indigenous consultation is complete.
Environmental Protection Act Would recognize biogenic content in municipal waste as a renewable energy source	Reduces the environmental assessment process for energy from waste facilities making it easier for companies like Emerald to expand waste burning activities. This would lead to higher pollution, elevated health risk, and higher carbon emissions. It means more of the waste cost burden will fall on municipalities rather than on producers and relieves the pressure to reduce, reuse, recycle waste products like plastic.
Environmental Bill of Rights Proposed changes would allow the government to create, change or erase regulations and policies that impact public health, the environment, public safety with no mandatory advance posting on the Environmental Registry.	It would allow proponents and developers to start environmental damage before the public is even aware this is happening. For instance a developer could clear cut a treed property before permits have been granted.

On October 20th, the BEA hosted a webinar on the impact of pollution and climate change on human health. Dr. Mili Roy, a Mississauga-based surgeon, shared many facts including that 6,600 people die prematurely each year in Ontario as a direct result of toxic air pollution, costing Ontario residents $49B in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs each year. And that’s just one aspect of the economic impact of our deteriorating environment. When will the Provincial government realize that a robust ecomomy is dependent on a healthy environment?

What can you do?

Let your MPP know you are not happy with the proposed changes in Bill 140. Or send us an email and we will do it for you.

Attend the upcoming PLAYING WITH FIRE: FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT BURNING WASTE webinar being hosted by Environmental Defence, November 5th, 7-8:00 PM, with BEA’s Vice-President.

Become a member of the Brampton Environmental Alliance and add your voice to the growing opposition to irresponsible environmental exploitation.