Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne released mandate letters to her cabinet ministers on September 25, 2014, outlining key priorities for each ministry. Premier Wynne’s marching orders include many environmental and energy priorities. Key environmental priorities relate to climate change, waste diversion and reduction, pollution prevention, drinking water quality for First Nations and invasive species.

Drinking Water Quality for First Nations – Premier Wynne tasks MOECC and the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to improve drinking water on reserves, focusing on remote communities. These ministries will work with the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs and the federal government to achieve measurable, achievable targets and substantive progress.

Ring of Fire Development – Premier Wynne tasks a number of ministries with supporting project development in the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario. In particular, various ministries will progress the next phase of negotiations under the Ring of Fire Regional Framework Agreement. MOECC will also work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to make decisions about environmental assessments, cumulative and regional environmental impacts, and long-term monitoring in the region.

Premier Wynne also asks the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to work with key mining companies, First Nations and other parties to establish a Ring of Fire development corporation to construct, finance, operate and maintain infrastructure to support access to strategic resources in the region.