Today’s families have the right to know when there are dangerous chemicals in their water, in their air, in their workplaces, their backyard, and even their children’s toys. Unfortunately, most people are in the dark about hazardous chemicals in their backyard since companies don’t have to inform communities about what toxins they are pumping into the environment.
Evidence linking environmental exposure and health outcomes is becoming stronger as the incidence of cancer continues to rise. Community Right to Know laws work. New York’s Community Right-to-Know Act resulted in major cleanup efforts among dry cleaners using known cancer-causing agents.
Last year the New Democrats introduced a Right-to-Know Bill into the Ontario Legislature to give families and communities the information they need to clean up the environment. But Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals delayed discussion of the New Democrat Right-to-Know Bill and then adjourned the Legislature three weeks early, killing this important Bill.
The NDP will bring back a Right to Know law that will:
- Require manufacturers to disclose to consumers when a known or suspected toxin is present in a product.
- Establish a comprehensive pollution inventory so people know what pollution exists in their community.
- Inform fire departments of hazardous substances in local businesses so they will know whether dangerous chemicals are entering the air in case of fire.
- New Democrats will follow up this law with tough toxic use reduction laws to reduce emissions levels. Our toxics policy will implement meaningful pollution prevention strategies.
On October 10, you can count on the NDP to clean up Ontario’s environment. McGuinty got it wrong. New Democrats will make it right.
Filed Under: Issue Sheets
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