Losing Our TouchLosing Our Touch

Gord Miller

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

OverviewOverview

Issues in EcosystemsPlanning IssuesWater IssuesPermitting IssuesEmerging IssuesMoving Government Forward

Issues in EcosystemsIssues in Ecosystems

Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program

Failure of the Provincial Wildlife Population Monitoring Program

The Province’s forgotten fauna

Wildlife Damage CompensationWildlife Damage Compensation

Livestock Species Wildlife Predators Mink Fox Raccoon Fisher Martin Lynx Elk

Wildlife Damage CompensationWildlife Damage Compensation

Livestock Species

Mink Fox Raccoon Fisher Martin Lynx Elk

Wildlife Predators Mink Fox Raccoon Fisher Martin Lynx Elk

Wildlife Damage CompensationWildlife Damage Compensation

Poultry

Chicken Turkey Duck Goose

Wildlife Damage CompensationWildlife Damage Compensation

Poultry

Chicken Turkey Duck Goose

Also Poultry Northern bobwhite Ruffed grouse Spruce grouse Rock ptarmigan Willow ptarmigan Wild turkey

PWPMPPWPMP

Intended to monitor any impacts forestry was having on wildlife populations

PWPMPPWPMP

Intended to monitor any impacts forestry was having on wildlife populations

Legal requirement under the EA Declaration Order MNR-71

PWPMPPWPMP

Intended to monitor any impacts forestry was having on wildlife populations

Legal requirement under the EA Declaration Order MNR-71

PWPMP not provincial, does not address wildlife populations and involves no monitoring

PWPMPPWPMP

Intended to monitor any impacts forestry was having on wildlife populations

Legal requirement under the EA Declaration Order MNR-71

PWPMP not provincial, does not address wildlife populations and involves no monitoring

“nothing to report”

Ontario’s Forgotten FaunaOntario’s Forgotten Fauna

Marine Mammals Marine Mammals in Ontarioin Ontario

•Polar bears•Orcas•Ringed and Bearded Seals•Walruses•Beluga whales

Planning IssuesPlanning Issues

New wind power rules to protect birds and bats

In Ontario 2.5 birds per turbine

Bats – more serious issueBats – more serious issue

4-14 per turbine per yearMigratory populations worst hit Non-migratory species complicated by

white nose syndrome Can be monitored and mitigated

Water Issues – OLWR PlanWater Issues – OLWR Plan

Level I – Potential water supply problemLevel II – Potential serious problemLevel III – Inability to meet demand– Province declares condition after …• Demonstrated and documented majority of water

users have participated in conservation• Documented any significant social,

environmental and economic impacts arising• Provided recommendations on restrictions

Permitting Issues – Overt PollutionPermitting Issues – Overt Pollution

App for Investigation – particulate emissions from cement plant

Permitting Issues – Overt PollutionPermitting Issues – Overt Pollution

App for Investigation – particulate emissions from cement plant

MOE report “residents’ complaints are credible and truthful” “all evidence supports residents’ complaints of adverse effects”

700 exceedances in 2010Going on for 10 years!

A Terrible WasteA Terrible Waste

The environmental costs of throwing away our food

40% Canadian Food Prod 40% Canadian Food Prod WastedWasted

Moving Government ForwardMoving Government Forward

Evaluating environmental programs– Examples of weak evaluation– Rationale for program evaluation– Program evaluation tools– Some bight spots

The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theologian (1906-1945)

Thank You For Your Attention