Environmental Protection Act
The Environmental Protection Act’s purpose is to provide protection and conservation of the natural environment. Under this Act, the Minister of the Environment regulates and investigates waste and litter management, ozone depleting substances, abandoned motor vehicles and spills, among many other things. Besides enacting regulations, educating the public and industry is another focus of this act. The Minister is responsible for conducting research and studies, and organizing various training and educational programs relating to the environment and the enforcement of this Act.
Housing providers and Service Managers are responsible for participating in local municipal recycling programs among other programs related to the protection of the environment. They must take the appropriate actions to ensure that garbage is stored in such a manner that it will not cause any environmental damage or violate the Health Act. Furthermore, housing providers and Service Managers are required to ensure that no equipment, hazardous materials and other environmentally-damaging substances are stored on the premises. Housing providers are responsible to ensure that a clause on this basis is in their leases and acknowledged by the tenant as grounds for eviction if violated, as stated under Section 65 of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.
Of particular interest to service managers and housing providers is an excerpt from Ontario Regulation 103/94 which applies to multi-residential recycling requirements, particularly source separation programs. For information click here.
Link: Environmental Protection Act (www.e-laws.gov.on.ca)
See Also: Energy & Environment, Energy Conservation Leadership Act