Deregulation Backgrounder - Bill 32 Waste Management Amendment Act

On Monday, April 15, 2002, the government introduced amendments to the Waste Management Act that will exempt mines from parts of the contaminated site process in BC. The changes signal the beginning of a shift away from the Waste Management Act’s liability regime, which holds current, as well as past owners and operators, potentially responsible for environmental contamination.

Bill 32 reduces environmental protection, has the potential to let polluters escape from their obligation to clean up polluted mine sites and puts taxpayers more on the hook for costly clean ups.

Bill 32:

• Will not maintain current standards of environmental protection, contrary to Minister Joyce Murray’s announcement.
• Will diminish the role the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (MWLAP) plays in preventing environmental contamination from mining.
• Increases the potential for British Columbians to be left on the hook for environmental problems resulting from mining.