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By Alan Findlay, The Toronto Sun TORONTO, Canada 2 October 2001 -- Ontario is being called a dumping ground for hazardous waste in the wake of a report showing toxic materials entering the province from the U.S. has more than doubled in four years. In his annual report released yesterday, Ontario Environment Commissioner Gord Miller blamed the province's weaker rules and disposal costs for a 135% increase in U.S. hazardous waste coming to Ontario between 1994 and 1998. Miller also accused the government of misleading his office and members of the public about expansions at the Safety-Kleen landfill near Sarnia and over suggestions the province was conducting a major review of Ontario's hazardous waste policies. "Actions such as these undermine public confidence in the ministry," Miller's report states. But Environment Minister Elizabeth Witmer said more recent national statistics show that hazardous waste imports from the U.S. dropped by 35% last year. Witmer also said she has instructed her staff to harmonize Ontario's waste disposal rules with those south of the border. FAIR USE NOTICE. This document contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The Basel Action Network is making this article available in our efforts to advance understanding of ecological sustainability and environmental justice issues. We believe that this constitutes a `fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond `fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. More News |