On December 31, 2018, the Used Tires Program operated by Ontario Tire Stewardship ended, as directed by Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Starting January 1, 2019, the recovery, recycling and reuse of used tires in Ontario was transitioned to the individual producer responsibility regulatory framework outlined in the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and the Tires Regulation.
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) is the regulator established by the Ontario government to enforce the new resource recovery requirements for tires and other designated materials. To learn more about the new regulatory framework, the wind up of the Used Tires Program and Ontario Tire Stewardship, and RPRA, visit www.rpra.ca.
As part of the wind-up process, on March 16, 2020, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice appointed Grant Thornton Limited liquidator of Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS).
The liquidator’s activities can be monitored on its case website. A copy of the court appointment order can also be found on the website. The liquidator can be contacted at 1-855-697-5252 or rethinktires@ca.gt.com.
On April 21, 2020, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued a direction letter to OTS requiring surplus funds of the Used Tires Program be returned to stewards. OTS was directed to amend its wind-up plan to address the Minister’s direction on surplus funds and submit it to RPRA for approval. For the direction letter and more information, visit Grant Thornton Limited’s case website.
The liquidator submitted the proposed Surplus Funds Addendum to the Used Tires Program Wind-Up Plan to RPRA on January 12, 2021. RPRA consulted on the addendum from January 29 to February 26, 2021. To learn more about the consultation process, visit RPRA’s website.
On March 26, 2021, RPRA approved OTS’ Surplus Funds Addendum to the Used Tires Program Wind-Up Plan. Read the approval letter.
It is expected that OTS will present the approved addendum to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for approval, tentatively scheduled for April 21, 2021. Following approval by the Court, OTS will begin distributing the interim amount of surplus funds to stewards.
The Authority is recommending that eligible stewards receiving a share of the surplus document how funds have been used in a manner consistent with the Minister’s expectation to benefit consumers. Stewards with questions about the Minister’s direction on consumer benefits or the implementation of the approved addendum should contact the Authority at info@rpra.ca.