It was reported late yesterday that Canada’s Province of ‘Ontario won’t force companies to reduce use of toxic chemicals’. The Ontario Environment Minister is reported to have said on April 7 that “Ontario´s plan to protect public health by cutting down on toxic chemicals won´t force big businesses to curtail their use of the harmful substances or even set reduction targets”.

I see this as important, and in poor economic times where employment is critical and cash is king as a sign of things to come not only in Ontario but around the world. While it won’t please environmentalists, as a practical matter in a severe economic downturn companies simply may not have the funds to commit to environmental programs which – while clearly desirable and in the obvious long term interest of the populace at large – would and could be voluntarily made or legislated in buoyant economic times. Stay tuned for what I anticipate will be more announcements like this in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere.

Click here for Economic and Mining and Oil & Gas Company Research.

See Blog Legal Disclaimer

Email this Post to a Friend.