Remarks for the Honourable Chris Hodgson
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Brownfield Redevelopment - It's Everyone's Concern
Cornwall, Ontario May 6, 2002

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure for me to be here today - and to be part of this conference on Brownfields Redevelopment.

I'm happy that Mayor Brian Sylvester is here with us today.

I would like to thank the St. Lawrence River Institute and the Cornwall Renaissance Group for bringing so many people together to discuss an issue that is so important to communities across Ontario.

Certainly, it's an issue that has long been important to our government - and through the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Environment, we are a proud sponsor of this event.

I know that over the next few days, you will hear from a number of experts on brownfields redevelopment.

You will learn of the challenges …the tools available to make effective change … and hear many success stories.

Because there are success stories - and they're occurring all across this province.

Nowhere is this more evident than right here in Cornwall - where the redevelopment of the Cornwall cotton mills is front and centre.

The Renaissance Group is spearheading this project. It's working hard to redevelop these historic mills - and to breathe new life into 16 km of waterfront property.

The plan is visionary .The Group is committed and enthusiastic. And our government was proud to contribute $100,000 to further their efforts.

When completed, this project will be a focal point of Cornwall.

And it will all have occurred on long unused land.

That - in a nutshell - is what brownfields redevelopment is all about.

It means taking former industrial or commercial sites that are underused, contaminated or abandoned - cleaning them up and effectively using them again.

And as your conference states, "It's Everyone's Concern". Everyone wants to protect Ontario's resources. We all want to use our land effectively. We all want a vibrant and prosperous province that we can pass on to future generations.

Brownfields redevelopment is one key to this - in particular, because brownfields sites are so prevalent across the province.

They are located in virtually every community with an industrial past.

In small and rural communities they can be found where land was used for dry-cleaners … or gas stations … or railway storage … or local factories.

In larger urban centres - brownfields can comprise as much as 10 to 15 per cent of the lands that are available for development.

That's a lot of land - with a lot of potential. It's also a win-win opportunity for municipalities, developers and environmentalists.

Brownfields redevelopment, as you know, offers a number of points in its favour.

The sites are usually located close to services and transportation. So revitalizing them encourages better use of existing infrastructure.

They are often located in the downtown core or, as in Cornwall, along the waterfront.

They are prime sites for redevelopment. And, as some communities have already discovered - the social and economic impacts can be huge as people and businesses move into an area they once avoided.

There are obvious environmental benefits - as contaminated lands are cleaned up for our benefit and the benefit of our children.

And it's an attractive alternative to urban sprawl - as development focuses on available lands within our communities, rather than looking outwards towards greenspace or farmland.<

By bringing old industrial and commercial sites back to life, communities have a unique chance to improve their quality of life … protect the environment … and attract new businesses and jobs.

Towns and cities across the province are realizing this.

And, for some time now - our government has been doing its part to promote brownfields development even further.

We were the first to introduce a process - and a set of tough environmental criteria - for site clean-up in Ontario.

Introduced in 1996, the Guideline for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario outlines methods of assessing the environmental condition of a property - as well as options for restoring it.

Two years ago, we released the Brownfields Showcase. This education and training tool both promotes redevelopment - and highlights brownfields success stories. In fact, another Cornwall project, Courtalds Fibres, was included as an example.

Further, our government actively 1ooked for ways to reduce the complexities of the redevelopment process, and eliminate the main barriers to revitalization.

To do this, we held extensive consultations over a two-year period.

We set up an Advisory Panel of brownfields experts and asked them to find new approaches to increase brownfields redevelopment.

And, last year, with the excellent advice of the Panel as a guide - our government introduced and passed the Brownfields Statute Law Amendment Act.

I know that, tomorrow, staff members from the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Environment will take you through the nuts and bolts of this legislation.

But let me give you just a few highlights.

As mentioned, our goal was to remove the main barriers to brownfields cleanup and redevelopment.

To do this, we concentrated on three fundamental challenges: Environmental liability concerns ... high clean-up costs ... and the planning approvals process.

The legislation addresses each of these.

It sets out clear rules for the assessment of contaminated sites - to ensure that environmental standards are met and public health is protected.

It clarifies the liability of developers, lenders, municipalities and owners - and provides liability protection from future environmental orders.

It streamlines planning processes to speed up brownfields projects - and helps municipalities provide financial support for brownfields clean-up costs.

The legislation improves and spurs the process of brownfields redevelopment. And, all in all, it has been very well received.

We are seeing increased activity by municipalities, developers and lenders in redeveloping brownfields properties.

And - as this conference shows - more and more people are interested in learning the ways and means of reclaiming these lands. <

That's good news for all of us.

It means that, increasingly, our cities and towns will make good, practical use of underused or abandoned lands.

It means that contaminated sites will be cleaned up using the latest in environmental technologies.

And it means we will all benefit from stronger, more self-sufficient communities where growth is strategically managed.

These benefits also complement the philosophy of Smart Growth.

Smart Growth is a term that you are likely familiar with. It was coined in the United States - but our government has adapted the concept into our own, made-in-Ontario Smart Growth strategy.

Our vision is based on three principles: a strong economy, strong communities and a clean and healthy environment.

It is also based on fostering and managing growth.

Because Ontario is growing.

Our population is projected to grow faster than any other province except British Columbia - and faster than that of any G-7 country.

By 2028, our population will increase by a third - close to four million more people.

We encourage this growth. We know it is necessary to ensure a strong economy that offers opportunity and prosperity to Ontarians. We also know that growth must be carefully - and smartly - planned.

Because our end goal is an important one.

We want to make sure that our children inherit cities, communities and neighbourhoods - indeed an entire province - that offers choice and a high quality of life.

We want to make sure that all regions of Ontario - from the smallest towns to the largest cities - can reach their economic potential.

And we want to make sure Ontario remains successful, strong and able to compete in the 21st century.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to accomplishing this.

Different issues come up in different communities - and Smart Growth must respond accordingly.

In urban areas, initiatives deal with such issues as the challenge of gridlock and waste disposal.

In smaller communities, they are geared towards attracting and maintaining economic prosperity and growth.

Everywhere - they must be forward thinking.

As one clear example of this - Smart Growth Panels are being set up in five zones across Ontario.

These Panels will provide strategic advice to the government on sustaining economic growth, protecting the environment and improving quality of life.

They will serve as a forum for co-operation on issues that cross municipal boundaries - such as transportation, infrastructure, and planning and public investment.

And they will help to identify strategies on how the province and communities should grow over the next 15 to 30 years.

I have already announced the Panels for the Central and Northwestern Ontario zones.

The Panels for Northeastern, Western and Eastern Ontario - which will include Cornwall - will be announced soon. I look forward to receiving all of their advice.

In the meantime, our government has taken several steps to advance Smart Growth.

For instance, there is an obvious need to reduce gridlock in Ontario.

Highways are congested. Rush hour now seems to last all day. Commuters are regularly inconvenienced. Businesses lose production time as just-in-time deliveries are tied up in traffic.

Although these concerns are most significant across the GTA, the City of Cornwall can certainly relate - with Highway 401 at your doorstep, and with direct access to New York State leading to a constant flow of goods and services across the nearby border.

There is clearly a need for a balanced, integrated transportation system in Ontario - where both highways and public transit play a key role.

In response, our government has announced a $10 billion investment target for provincial highways - and a 10-year, $9 billion multi-government transit plan.

We know how important it is to keep people moving quickly, safely and efficiently.

Smart Growth also depends on effective land use planning.

Currently, we are reviewing our land use policies, which are contained in the Provincial Policy Statement.

We want to make sure that they are effectively protecting Ontario's interests, and are consistent with Smart Growth objectives.

We are evaluating the submissions to help determine whether any changes need to be made - and will release a summary soon.

A third major step to advance Smart Growth in Ontario is, of course, encouraging brownfields redevelopment.

We know - as you do - that this is fundamental to Smart Growth.

Revitalizing these lands will greatly benefit our communities, our economy and our environment.

And, again, I would congratulate the organizers of this event for pulling together an informative and timely conference that actively promotes brownfields redevelopment.

In conclusion, if I were to leave you with one thought - it would be this. Brownfields should be viewed as a resource, not a liability; and as an opportunity, not an obstacle.

They provide a second chance to improve a community. And their potential for positive impact cannot be underestimated.

With the many steps that we've already taken - I believe Ontario is well-positioned to become a leader in brownfields redevelopment.

I know that Cornwall has already set a fine example in this regard - having been selected as a Model City in promoting brownfields.

Working together, we can continue along this important path.

And all of Ontario - and all future generations - will benefit.

Thank you, again, for inviting me.