Environmental Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.18
Publisher/Sponsor:
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Relevant Regulations under the Act:
Regulation 334 R.R.O. 1990 - General
O. Reg. 231/08 – Transit Projects
O. Reg. 101/07 – Waste Management Projects
O. Reg. 101/07 – Waste Management Projects
O. Reg. 116/01 – Electricity Projects
O. Reg. 616/98 – Deadlines
O. Reg. 345/93 – Designation and Exemption – Private Sector Developers
The purpose of the Act is to provide for the protection, conservation, and wise management of Ontario’s environment by evaluating the potential environmental effects and benefits of a project or undertaking before it is allowed to proceed.
The Ministry of the Environment evaluates the potential environmental impacts of such projects through submission of an Environmental Assessment. These are typically carried out for large-scale public- and private-sector projects that have potential for significant environmental impact and major public interest. The key components of an environmental assessment include: consideration of alternatives, mandatory consultation with interested persons during the preparation and submission of the environmental assessment, and mitigation and management of environmental effects.
Following submission of the Environmental Assessment, the Minister may exercise any of the following options:
- refer all or part of the matter to the Environmental Review Tribunal for a hearing, or to another tribunal, such as the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), for a decision,
- refer the Environmental Assessment or a particular issue to mediation (can be done at any time during the process),
- approve the proposed undertaking and what conditions to impose on the approval, or
- refuse to give approval to proceed with the proposed undertaking.
Regulated timelines provide for the Minister to make a decision on an Environmental Assessment submission within approximately 30 weeks of submission to the ministry.
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