Government punts water-taking decision until after provincial election

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2016

Government punts water-taking decision until after
provincial election

(Queen’s Park) – The Liberal Government’s decision to place a two year moratorium on new or
expanded water-taking permits for water bottling companies appears to be an effort to punt the
problem down the road until after the 2018 election, says Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted
Arnott.

“Why did they pick two years? The answer is simple,” Mr. Arnott said. “There’s an emerging
pattern where the Liberals are putting off tough decisions until after the election. They were
elected to govern. Now it appears that they’re panicking because an election is coming, and
they know they lack public support.”

Under the proposed regulations no company can apply for a new or expanded permit to take
water for the purpose of bottling water until January 1, 2019. The proposed regulations would
also reduce the length of the permit renewal applications from 10 years to a maximum of 5
years, as well as introduce mandatory reductions on water taking during times of drought.

During the moratorium, the Government says they will review existing rules for groundwater
protection, undertake research to improve our understanding of groundwater, and review the
fees charged to large volume water users.

“Over and over again, I’ve said that the approvals process for large volume water-taking permits
needs to be based on hydrogeological studies, which prove that the quantity and quality of our
groundwater will be protected for future generations,” Mr. Arnott pointed out. “These scientific
studies need to take into account the future growth pressures that are imposed on our
communities through the Liberals’ Places to Grow Act.”

Mr. Arnott added that there is considerable expertise on this issue in Wellington-Halton Hills.

“Recognizing that this process is now underway, I hope the Minister will reach out to the
University of Guelph’s Centre for Applied Groundwater Research (G360). They are undertaking
world-leading, collaborative scientific research on groundwater protection. Our Wellington
County municipalities can also provide valuable input. Many individuals in our Riding will also
want to provide thoughtful comments,” Mr. Arnott concluded. “My constituents are engaged in
this issue and it won’t take them two years to respond.”
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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org