I am not in favour of…

I am not in favour of changes to the current Environmental Assessments Act. I am not in favour because of how these changes will be applied to major transportation and electricity projects .

The proposed Streamlined EA process is not as robust, accountable, or participatory as the Comprehensive EA process. The Streamlined EA process does not result in a project-specific approval with binding and enforceable conditions imposed by the Minister and/or Cabinet.
In conformance to the Bill 197 changes, it is no longer possible for Ontarians to file a request on environmental grounds to ask the Minister to move a particularly significant project from the Streamlined EA process to the Comprehensive EA process.

Residents of Ontario should have the right to a due process especially when it comes to all transportation (highways and rail) and electricity transmission projects. Under the proposed changes, Ontarians cannot request the Minister to refer a Streamlined Class EA project to the independent Ontario Land Tribunal for a public hearing and decision.

Thank you for your time and consideration.