Industry and environmental groups anticipate passage of provincial water
conservation legislation

Bill 72 receives praise in advance of third reading vote expected today

TORONTO, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - The Ontario Water Conservation Alliance, a diverse coalition of industry, labour, environmental organizations and municipalities, expects to welcome important new water legislation once it passes third reading in the legislature today. The final vote on Bill 72, the Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, is a victory, but not the end of efforts for supporters of a comprehensive water conservation and efficiency strategy.

"The Ontario Water Conservation Alliance congratulates the provincial government on Bill 72 and its serious plan for water conservation and efficiency," said Theresa McClenaghan of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, speaking on behalf of the Alliance. "But we have more work to do as we enter the implementation phase of this legislation. We must ensure the best possible outcomes."

The Alliance has been leading a public campaign to ensure water conservation is a major plank in the government's legislation and will now turn attention to ensuring effective implementation - including strong regulations. The Alliance will focus on several key areas:

• Broad consultation with stakeholders, municipalities and First Nations
• The setting of clear water conservation targets with transparent public reporting
• Making government infrastructure grants contingent on water conservation and green infrastructure plans ("blue strings")
• Specific measures to provide capacity for First Nations to invest in and take advantage of water opportunities
• Pursuit of a comprehensive public education campaign on water conservation

As the Alliance has said before, there are enormous economic benefits from a strong government commitment to water conservation and green infrastructure. Municipalities such as the Region of Peel, Guelph and York Region are discovering they can defer millions of dollars in expensive water infrastructure expansions by investing in efficiency strategies that emphasize wiser use of existing water supplies. At the same time, support for innovative water conservation technologies and practices will position Ontario to take advantage of the $500 billion global market for solutions to the world's water challenges, building on the existing 20,000 jobs in its current water sector.

About the Ontario Water Conservation Alliance
The Ontario Water Conservation Alliance is a coalition of citizens, non-governmental organizations and businesses who believe an environmentally sustainable and economically secure province requires a comprehensive water conservation and efficiency strategy. The Alliance has been advocating for strong Water Conservation legislation for Ontario. For more information please visit: www.conserveourwater.ca.

For further information:

Christopher Holcroft
Rideau Institute, for the Alliance
416-996-0767
[email protected]