This is an inappropriate,…

This is an inappropriate, unjustified, and unacceptable rollback of current EA requirements for environmentally significant projects for several reasons:
the 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;
pursuant to the Bill 197 changes, it is no longer possible for Ontarians to file a "bump-up" (or "elevation") request on environmental grounds to ask the Minister to move a particularly significant project from the Streamlined EA process to the Comprehensive EA process; and
Ontarians cannot request the Minister to refer a Streamlined Class EA project to the independent Ontario Land Tribunal for a public hearing and decision.