Minister issues new direction letter on Used Tires Program surplus funds

The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has issued a direction letter to Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS), the industry funding organization that operated the legacy Used Tires Program, to return approximately $34M in surplus funds to tire producer responsibility organizations (PROs) registered with RPRA. 

The new direction revises previous direction to OTS to disburse the surplus to former stewards of the legacy Used Tires Program and is intended to offset PRO costs related to the increased management target set in the recently amended Tires Regulation and protect consumers against increasing environmental handling fees on tires.   

OTS and RPRA will engage tire stakeholders later in October – November 2026 to consult on implementing the Minister’s directions.