Selling the initiative as a catalyst for a grassroots campaign against polluters, Ontario's New Democrat leader wants manufacturers to list known or suspect toxins on product labels for products like toys, food and make-up — if the party forms the next government.
An NDP government would also create an online database to inform Ontario residents of pollutants in their community, leader Howard Hampton said Friday.
Both pledges are part of so-called "Right to Know" legislation that would ensure people are aware of toxins and other hazards that may be in the province's food, ground, air and water, Hampton said at a campaign stop in west-end Toronto.
"If people don't know what's being stored or what's being used in their neighbourhood, they don't have that critical piece of information that allows them to take action."
In Toronto, 40,000 facilities don't have to report annual pollution releases to the public, he said.
But by requiring neighbourhood businesses and companies to disclose toxins being used or stored, the law would force industries to "clean up their act" and alter the way products are made, Hampton said.
Similar legislation was introduced by NDP environment critic Peter Tabuns in November 2006, but died when the legislature was adjourned.
The policy is based on a community right-to-know initiative in California that has helped get arsenic out of bottled water and lead removed from some candies.
In the same vein, the "Right to Know" law would encourage manufacturers to find alternatives, rather than having to list carcinogens on their labels, Hampton said.
If manufacturers and importers refused to disclose potentially harmful materials, be they in toys or makeup, their products would be pulled from the shelves, he said.
"Based upon what happened in other jurisdictions, people who want access to the market, people who want to sell their products, very quickly start to provide the information."
Forcing manufacturers to list toxins and carcinogens on product labels is not the responsibility of Health Canada, Hampton said, noting that Ontario would be acting within its power to enact such a law.
Tory open to similar policy
Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory said he is open to a similar policy.
"The idea of adding that or extending that to sort of having labelling that tells people what there may be in products they don't know about is something that I am certainly interested in," he said at a campaign stop in Toronto.
Tory said his party's platform would require companies to submit lists of toxins and carcinogens to government, along with a plan detailing how those toxins could be reduced or eliminated.
Providing the public with a registry is a vital first step in curbing pollution, Hampton said.
"Then you're not just talking about a civil servant, who may be overworked and understaffed, trying to enforce something — the community has the tools to take steps."
Under the NDP plan, workers would have access to information about the health effects of chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace.
Fire departments would also be informed of hazardous substances in local businesses so they are informed if they must deal with an accident.
Related
Ontario Votes 2007 »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
District Profiles
More Ontario Votes Headlines »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
