What non-legislative mechanisms are used for water management in Ontario?
The Ministry of the Environment has developed an extensive policy framework consisting of guidelines, objectives, manuals and codes of practice that are important tools for managing the province’s water resources. In general terms, these non-legislative tools are taken into account when the Ministry is deciding whether to grant approvals or issue orders. In the context of water, one of the most important documents is “Water Management – Policies, Guidelines and Provincial Water Quality Objectives” (Guideline B-1-3). This document gives direction on how to manage the quality and quantity of both surface and groundwater. The Provincial Water Quality Objectives, found in this document, are numerical and narrative criteria for chemical and physical characteristics of water. They are set at levels intended to protect all forms of aquatic life, and are used to regulate waste discharges into water. Other documents that provide guidance, and affect the overall management of water in Ontario, i
