Newsletter - December 1998

WEAO has received a letter from Jim Merritt, Assistant Deputy Minister, MOE Operations Division, to clarify the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's position with respect to the 'Y2K problem' and the responsibilities of industrial/business sectors or persons who may be represented by, or have membership in our association.

"Potential exists for significant problems to occur with computers, automated systems and equipment using built-in computer chips on January 1, 2000. Depending on the degree of 'date sensitivity' of various programs and processor logic, problems could range from minor annoyances to complete system failures. These problems could extend to such systems as computers, programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, sensors, scales, flow meters and other instruments which could, in turn, affect the ability of pollution control equipment to perform as it was intended.

"Many industries/businesses or private individuals operate under provincial regulations, an approval or a certificate of approval granted by the Ministry. In addition, the Ministry issues many specific orders and directions to address actual or potential threats to the environment. In specific instances, a failure to comply with a provincial regulation, a Ministry approval, order or direction may result in an immediate and major threat to the environment and public health.

"It is important to recognize and reaffirm that the above regulated community has the responsibility to ensure continued compliance with regulations, approvals, orders, directions in order to ensure that the environment and public health are protected. It is the position of this Ministry that non-compliance with provincial regulations and instruments, arising from a Y2K system failure, is a foreseeable and avoidable occurrence.

"Those responsible for compliance with these requirements should be undertaking an assessment of potential impacts of the Y2K problem as well as developing appropriate remedial measures and contingency plans. General information on the Y2K problem is widely available from many sources, including the Internet, and many consulting firms specialize in undertaking Y2K audits and contingency plan development.

"The continued protection of the environment and public health through the Y2K transition period is extremely important and I would like to request your assistance in conveying the above message through your existing communication network to your membership."