During Question Period on June 6, 2024, Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre, asked some questions about the Ford government’s plans to eliminate Ontario’s wastewater monitoring program: “[…] with a serious gap in the federal government’s current ability to test wastewater in Ontario, why would this government abruptly cut this extremely low cost but highly valuable program?”
The government’s response was misleading. “The program is continuing through an expanded option with the federal government,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
That’s not actually true. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is not taking over the program. The Ontario government is planning to shut the existing extensive program that has been developed over years, with 58+ monitoring stations and expert researchers at 13 Ontario universities. In its place, there will be a much more limited network operated by PHAC, covering just five cities in Ontario.
Minister Khanjin continued with the disinformation: “[…] we’re removing a duplication because the federal government is expanding the surveillance program to continue expansions here in Ontario.”
Listening to the minister, one would imagine that the federal government is taking over the existing program and expanding it to include more monitoring sites, but that’s not actually what’s happening at all.
With the loss of monitoring stations in the vast majority of Ontario’s public health units, we will likely miss many regional outbreaks. We know that in the past, there have been hotspots (e.g. in Peel Region, Kingston and Ottawa). Public health units will be hindered in their ability to use timely interventions to prevent infections and hospitalizations.
Take action
📣 Let MPPs know you want funding for Ontario’s wastewater monitoring program to continue!
✉️ Send letters to voice your support for wastewater monitoring. You can use your own email software to send the letters.
Image description: Screenshot of the broadcast of Question Period, on June 6, 2024. Jeff Burch, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Niagara Centre, is speaking. He has white and grey hair, glasses, a tie, and a navy blue suit. In the background, there are wood panels on the walls with intricate carvings.