Consultation on Proposed Firefighter Certification Model

Today the province released a consultation document on a proposed firefighter certification model that would introduce mandatory minimum certification requirements for specific fire protection services in Ontario. There is currently no minimum standard of firefighter certification under the Fire Prevention and Protection Act, 1997. The proposed approach is based on the key competencies and job performance requirements of the National Fire Protection Association standards. The consultation document is now posted to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry and will be open for feedback until February 28, 2022. 

AMO is reviewing these proposed regulations. We will focus as to whether this certification process will create additional training or new cost pressures on municipal fire services. We will be working with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs during this review. More details will follow.

Stormwater and Wastewater Infrastructure Provincial Funding

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has announced a new investment of $25 million to build, upgrade, and rehabilitate storm and wastewater infrastructure across the province.

The investment includes two tranches:

  • $15 million to improve the aging and outdated storm and wastewater infrastructure in 18 municipalities, and
  • $10 million to help 20 municipalities upgrade sewage monitoring and public reporting capacity.

The funding announcement also launches a public consultation and draft guidance to improve wastewater and stormwater management and water conservation in Ontario.

Stormwater and wastewater infrastructure is costly to municipal governments but also vital for sustainable communities. AMO has called for federal and provincial support to help municipal governments upgrade these systems to help communities improve resilience to climate change and improve other environmental outcomes.

Subwatershed Planning Guide Consultation Open and Webinars Announced

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing a Subwatershed Planning Guide to help municipalities and other planning authorities in implementing provincial policy direction to undertake watershed and subwatershed planning that informs land use and infrastructure planning under the Planning Act in Ontario.

The proposed guide has been posted to the Environmental Registry for a 45-day public consultation from January 27, 2022, to March 13, 2022. To review and comment on the proposed document, please see the Environmental Registry proposal notice at ERO number 019-4978.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will be hosting two information webinars on the proposed guide, on February 16, 2022 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. and February 24, 2022 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Follow the link on each date to register.

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