December 4, 2006

Statement to the Legislature: Deposit Return Program
by David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal

Check against delivery.

Mr. Speaker,

In September, our government made an historic announcement – one that significantly strengthens our government’s capacity to protect our province’s environment.

I am pleased to report on an important step forward:  the province has signed a contract with Brewers Retail Inc. to be the service provider of Ontario’s deposit return program for wine and spirit containers.

In February,  Ontario consumers will pay a deposit on all wine and spirit containers purchased in Ontario at the LCBO, agency stores and winery and distillery retail stores.  And they will be able to return the containers to The Beer Store for a refund.

When the deposit return program is up and running Ontarians will be able to participate in a crucial venture:  reducing the waste that goes to our municipal landfills.

The Beer Store runs one of the most successful return systems in the world.  And it has the existing infrastructure and expertise to implement the new deposit return program quickly and efficiently.

It makes sense to build on The Beer Store’s tremendously successful bottle return process.

And it makes sense to call upon the celebrated marketing expertise of the LCBO.  They will lead a two-year, public awareness campaign to encourage optimum participation in the deposit return program.

Mr. Speaker, we are also very encouraged by the level of support for our initiative among other key stakeholders.

Such as:  this one from Joanne St. Godard, Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Ontario:

“The Recycling Council of Ontario applauds Premier McGuinty for demonstrating leadership … . Deposit-return systems have proven their worth when it comes to maximizing the reuse and recycling of bottles. … the proposed deposit-return system is a good step towards extended producer responsibility in this province.”

And this from Doug Reycraft, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario:
“This is an important step for environmental protection in Ontario and good news for municipal governments.  It builds on the Premier’s commitment to an effective LCBO deposit return system and will result in a more efficient blue box program in Ontario.”
Jan Westcott, President and CEO, Spirits Canada says:
"The McGuinty Government is committed to preserving the environment for future generations and the Ontario spirits industry fully endorses and supports these efforts.” 
Mr. Speaker,

We will continue to work with our partners – the Beer Store, the LCBO and, all our stakeholders – to make serious advances in reducing what goes into our landfills.

We will continue to count on Ontarians – people who are guided by good will toward their environment.

This is a win for the environment … a win for municipalities … and a win for Ontarians.

Thank you.