Today NDP MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) submitted a new Private Members Bill – Bottled Water Spending Act, 2009 – to restrict government spending on bottled water. If passed, the Bill would make Ontario the first province in Canada to restrict bottled water.

In his annual report released earlier today, Ontario’s Environment Commissioner Gord Miller called for government legislation to stop big developers from threatening citizens with so-called SLAPPs - lawsuits requiring that citizen groups pay developer legal expenses or other damages for hearings.

NDP Energy and Environment Critic Peter Tabuns is condemning today’s decision by the McGuinty government to go ahead with a $1.2-billion gas plant in Oakville as economically irresponsible and environmentally reckless.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is demanding a one-year moratorium on the building of a polluting gas plant in south Mississauga to allow for an independent review of the health impacts on local residents and examine all alternatives.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath expressed serious concern over mischief charges laid by the OPP against well-respected Simcoe County citizens for their involvement in Dump Site 41 protests.

“Arresting seniors won't help the situation. People in this community don't want a dump,” said Horwath. “The government should be listening to these people and their concerns.”

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is accepting an invitation from Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman to visit Ontario nuclear waste storage facilities after she challenged Premier Dalton McGuinty to publicly acknowledge the health risks of nuclear waste.