THUNDER BAY – NEWS – The Ontario government is introducing new legislation aimed at enhancing community safety and protecting the environment by addressing the risks associated with wildland fires and hazardous oil and gas wells. The proposed Resource Management and Safety Act would also streamline the land surveying process to support housing development and pave the way for carbon storage technology.
“This legislation is about safeguarding our communities and our precious natural resources,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources. “We’re taking action to minimize the impact of wildland fires and hazardous wells, while also supporting responsible development and innovative solutions to reduce emissions.”
Key Components of the Legislation:
- Wildland Fire Prevention: Modernizing the Forest Fires Prevention Act to strengthen wildfire prevention and preparedness through mandatory wildland fire management plans and increased penalties for non-compliance.
- Addressing Hazardous Wells: Amendments to the Oil, Gas, and Salt Resources Act would empower the Ministry of Natural Resources to take swift action to address hazardous oil and gas wells posing public safety risks, especially in cases of operator non-compliance due to circumstances like death or bankruptcy.
- Supporting Housing Development: Proposed changes to the Surveyors Act aim to attract more land surveyors to the profession, streamlining the process for land surveys needed for new housing and infrastructure projects.
- Enabling Carbon Storage: A new Geologic Carbon Storage Act would regulate the safe and responsible use of commercial-scale geologic carbon storage, a technology that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy-intensive industries.
Focus on Forestry and Community Safety
“Our forestry sector is vitally important to Ontario, producing critical building materials, and managing and renewing Ontario’s forests, which can play an important role in reducing the risk of wildland fire,” said Kevin Holland, Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. “These new protections allow the province to help job creators build Ontario and provide better service for communities.”
The legislation has garnered support from various stakeholders, including:
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario: “AMO applauds provincial action to modernize wildfire management. More frequent and intense wildfires due to climate change create significant risks for people and resources. Provincial-municipal partnership to prevent, prepare for, mitigate and respond to wildfires is needed to protect our forests and keep our communities safe,” stated Robin Jones, AMO President and Mayor of Westport.
- Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association: “The Ministry’s proposed amendments to the Forest Fires Prevention Act sends a clear message: protecting our forests and reducing human-caused fires is a shared responsibility that requires strong action and commitment from everyone. Expanding prevention efforts marks a critical step in safeguarding our communities and the environment,” said Mayor Wendy Landry, NOMA President.
Carbon Storage: A New Frontier
The proposed Geologic Carbon Storage Act represents a significant step towards innovative emissions reduction solutions. By enabling the capture and permanent storage of CO2 underground, this technology has the potential to transform Ontario’s industrial landscape.
“Carbon storage is new to the province, and the ministry is developing a framework that will ensure it is done responsibly, with measures in place to safeguard people and the environment,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources. “By mitigating emissions, carbon storage has the potential to transform Ontario’s essential natural resource industries into internationally recognized global suppliers of clean building materials while creating new good paying jobs.”
Support from Industry and Municipalities
The legislation has received positive feedback from various sectors:
- Land Surveyors: “The Association of Land Surveyors of Ontario is pleased to see the Ministry of Natural Resources’ proposed changes to the Surveyors Act. These changes will modernize and enhance the skilled profession of land surveying in Ontario, and allow our association to continue to advance our mandate of protecting the public. As the demand for safe, affordable housing and infrastructure continues to rise, land surveyors will remain essential in building the future of our province. I thank the province for their efforts in supporting our profession, and helping us meet the demands of a growing economy,” said Al Jeraj, Executive Director of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors.
- Chemical Industry: “The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada applauds the Ministry of Natural Resources on the continued progress towards enabling commercial-scale geologic storage of carbon in the province. The chemistry sector is transforming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and carbon storage is an essential component. Carbon storage is recognized and supported by the federal government and is operational elsewhere in Canada,” stated Don Fusco, Regional Director, Ontario and Corporate Secretary, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.
- Energy-Intensive Industries: “This legislation demonstrates our commitment to helping Ontario’s energy-intensive industries remain competitive while reducing emissions and driving economic growth. It proves there’s a better way than the federal carbon tax—one that captures carbon, fosters innovation, and creates good-paying jobs. By enabling geologic carbon storage, we’re not only helping industries cut emissions responsibly but also creating opportunities for families and supporting good-paying jobs that build a stronger future for Ontario,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries.
- Municipal Leaders: Mayor Darrin Canniff of Chatham-Kent expressed gratitude for the province’s efforts to prevent or reduce the impact of oil and gas well emergencies, stating that the proposed legislative changes are crucial for protecting resources and enhancing community safety.
The Ministry of Natural Resources plans to continue consultations with stakeholders and Indigenous communities to refine the proposed framework as commercial-scale carbon storage projects are developed.
If passed, the Resource Management and Safety Act will be followed by further consultations and the development of supporting regulations to ensure its successful implementation.
