DRAFT _______________________________________________________________________________________ Machinery of Government for Safe Drinking Water in Ontario Discussion Paper Nicholas d’Ombrain d’Ombrain Inc. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 30/03/01 Page 1 This draft paper has been prepared as a background document for the Walkerton Inquiry. It is intended to generate and inform discussion about the safety of drinking water among parties with standing, relevant experts, and the public. It does not represent the findings, views or recommendations of the Commissioner. Written comments in response to the paper are welcome and will form part of the public record of the Inquiry. They should be submitted to: Part 2 Comments The Walkerton Inquiry 180 Dundas Street West, 22nd Floor Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8 DRAFT _______________________________________________________________________________________ Contents Purpose and Structure of the Report........................................................................................................ 5 Part I: Drinking Water Management and Public Policy......................................................................... 7 Water and Governments ........................................................................................................................... 7 Federal Role........................................................................................................................................ 11 Provincial Role ................................................................................................................................... 12 Municipal Role ................................................................................................................................... 13 Trends................................................................................................................................................. 14 Part II: Mandates and Institutions for Safe Drinking Water............................................................... 16 The Government of Ontario.................................................................................................................... 17 Ministers............................................................................................................................................. 17 The Cabinet ........................................................................................................................................ 17 Central Agencies................................................................................................................................. 21 Cabinet Office and Premier’s Office .............................................................................................. 21 Management Board Secretariat....................................................................................................... 22 Ministry of Finance......................................................................................................................... 24 Decision-Making Process ................................................................................................................... 25 Ministries............................................................................................................................................ 26 Ministry of Natural Resources........................................................................................................ 27 Ministry of the Environment........................................................................................................... 28 Integrated Environmental Planning Division.............................................................................. 30 Environmental Sciences and Standards Division........................................................................ 30 Operations Division.................................................................................................................... 30 Budget............................................................................................................................................. 31 Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care ........................................................................................ 31 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs............................................................................ 33 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing ................................................................................... 34 Agencies ............................................................................................................................................. 35 Relationship Between the Government and Provincial Agencies in Ontario ................................. 36 Agency Establishment and Accountability Directive ................................................................. 36 Alternative Service Delivery ...................................................................................................... 38 Ontario Clean Water Agency.......................................................................................................... 40 Ontario SuperBuild Corporation..................................................................................................... 44 Ontario Financing Authority........................................................................................................... 46 Ontario Municipal Board................................................................................................................ 47 Normal Farm Practices Protection Board ....................................................................................... 48 Environmental Commissioner ........................................................................................................ 49 Environmental Review Tribunal..................................................................................................... 50 Local Government .............................................................................................................................. 51 Municipalities ................................................................................................................................. 51 Public Utilities Commissions.......................................................................................................... 53 Conservation Authorities ................................................................................................................ 54 Part III: Processes for Safe Drinking Water.......................................................................................... 55 Policy Process......................................................................................................................................... 55 ______________________________________________________________________________________ 30/03/01 Page 2 DRAFT _______________________________________________________________________________________ Legislation, Programs and Regulations .............................................................................................. 56 Ontario Water Directors’ Committee..............................................................................................56 Assistant Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Land and Resource Use ............................................. 56 Local Government and Resource Deputies’ Committee................................................................. 56 Cabinet Process................................................................................................................................... 57 Funding for New Water Infrastructure ........................................................................................... 57 Authorization Processes ......................................................................................................................... 58 Permits to Take Water ........................................................................................................................ 59 Certificates of Approval ..................................................................................................................... 59 Compliance and Enforcement Processes ................................................................................................ 60 Monitoring.......................................................................................................................................... 60 Voluntary Surveillance ....................................................................................................................... 61 Inspection, Investigation and Enforcement......................................................................................... 61 Part IV: Institutions and Processes Evaluated....................................................................................... 63 Adequacy of Current Arrangements for Safe Drinking Water ............................................................... 63 Observers’ Comments ........................................................................................................................ 63 Scope of Drinking Water Policy......................................................................................................... 65 The Ministry of the Environment ......................................................................................................