The provincial government announced a proposal in July to charge companies for each tonne of hazardous waste they produce. Companies will have to check in and pay a registration fee with the province each year instead of Ontario taxpayers footing the bill for managing hazardous wastes. An annual registration fee of $50 would be accompanied by two additional charges - $10 for each tonne of hazardous waste produced, and $5 for each time waste is moved or shipped off site for disposal. The new regulation is expected to generate $12 million to offset the ministry's costs for handling toxic waste.