Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. Click on a question to see the answer. If you have a question that isn't answered here, you can ask us using this form.
Source Water Protection (5)
ANSWER: Activities or conditions which may adversely affect drinking water quantity (i.e. consumptive uses or activities reducing aquifer recharge) must be evaluated in Assessment Reports in accordance with technical rules issued by the Ministry of the Environment under the Clean Water Act, 2006. These rules require Source Protection Committees to prepare water budgets at varying scales and levels of detail in order to accurately understand groundwater flows, surface water flows, and potential stresses on these resources. Where necessary, detailed risk assessments shall be undertaken by Source Protection Committees in local areas in order to determine whether such activities or conditions constitute significant or moderate drinking water threats.
ANALYSIS: Background: Assessment Reports
Assessment Reports are generally intended to serve as the technical and scientific basis for developing appropriate Source Protection Plans under the Clean Water Act, 2006 ("CWA"). In essence, Assessment Reports must: Download Answer in PDF
General (3)
Yes, our list is focused on the province of Ontario. Note that we do not maintain a similar list for all of Canada. Lawyers are called to the bar within individual provinces and each province has its own Law Society that, among other functions, often provide a lawyer referral service. We suggest you visit the CanadianLawSite.com. You can use their "lawyer locator" service, on the front page of their site or contact provincial law societies on their Canadian Law Societies page.
CELA specializes in environmental law whereas legal questions about managing citizen or environmental groups generally fall outside our areas of expertise. We suggest seeking advice from the series of Fact Sheets and Check Lists prepared by the Volunteer Lawyers Service, a service sponsored by the Law Foundation of Ontario.
Ontario Nature has also developed two relevant fact sheets for community groups on the topics: "Incorporation and Charitable Status" and "Dealing with Liability."
Toxic Chemicals (2)
The #7 recycling symbol is a 7 contained within a triangle, often made of arrows. Unfortunately, the #7 symbol gets used as a catch-all category for various plastics that are not included within categories 1 though 6. It is definitely used to label the hard, shatterproof polycarbonate plastic that contains Bisphenol A (e.g., in baby bottles, water bottles, etc.). These containers may also have the letters PC (for polycarbonate) below the triangular symbol. For other containers that are made from similarly hard, shatterproof plastic but that do not have any recycling symbol, they are very likely to be polycarbonate plastic containing Bisphenol A.
The #7 symbol is also used to label biodegradable plastics made from soy or corn. These are slightly pliable, often clear and lightweight containers. They tend to be used for packaging foods like dried fruits or nuts. On these containers, the #7 symbol may also have the letters "PLA" below it and such plastics are also often labelled as biodegradable, which is accurate. They do not contain Bisphenol A.
Finally, on some plastics, the #7 symbol may have the word "Other" below it. These may be polycarbonate (and contain Bisphenol A) and maybe not. Two common variations that probably do not contain Bisphenol A include pliable packaging used to "shrink-wrap" frozen foods and single serving containers for fruit or puddings. These single serving containers are also slightly pliable. You can call the manufacturer for such products to find out for sure. Or, choose plastics labelled with the numbers 2, 4 or 5. See the Smart Plastic Guide for more information on choosing among different plastics.
Other container options exist as well. Glass and tin cans are more easily recycled. But, many cans are also lined with a white coating containing Bisphenol A. Since this is not always the case, you can seek out brands that are simply traditional metal cans with no lining. You need to buy them first to find out or you can call the manufacturers. In the absence of adequate regulation to eliminate Bisphenol A from tin can linings, it is important for consumers to exert pressure on manufacturers to discontinue its use. The use of these plastic-based linings in cans is simply for extending shelf-life.
Source Water Protection (5)
ANSWER: Activities or conditions which may adversely affect drinking water quantity (i.e. consumptive uses or activities reducing aquifer recharge) must be evaluated in Assessment Reports in accordance with technical rules issued by the Ministry of the Environment under the Clean Water Act, 2006. These rules require Source Protection Committees to prepare water budgets at varying scales and levels of detail in order to accurately understand groundwater flows, surface water flows, and potential stresses on these resources. Where necessary, detailed risk assessments shall be undertaken by Source Protection Committees in local areas in order to determine whether such activities or conditions constitute significant or moderate drinking water threats.
ANALYSIS: Background: Assessment Reports
Assessment Reports are generally intended to serve as the technical and scientific basis for developing appropriate Source Protection Plans under the Clean Water Act, 2006 ("CWA"). In essence, Assessment Reports must: Download Answer in PDF