Anti-Fracking And Great Lakes Bills To Committee

The Ontario Legislature rose for the summer on June 4, with two environmental proposed environmental laws having received second reading, but awaiting Committee review and public hearings. The third environmental law, Bill 52, Protection of Public Participation Act, 2015 (anti-SLAPP) has been debated but has not yet received second reading.

Bill 82, the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Amendment Act (Anti-Fracking), 2015 is an opposition private member's Bill that received rare government support and may actually pass. Proposed by NDP MPP Peter Tabuns, Bill 82 would ban any new fracking permits in Ontario. Bill 82 has received second reading (approval in principle) and has been referred to the Standing Committee on General Government for public hearings, likely in the fall.