Given the worldwide concerns…

Given the worldwide concerns about biodiversity loss and related impacts on our climate, I have grave concerns about any move to water down (“Streamline”) Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act. Allowing less rigorous assessments of projects like large-scale provincial highways or transmission lines blindfolds us to any serious environmental concerns that might arise from a more rigorous, project-specific Comprehensive environmental assessment.

Not only would the proposed changes make the EA process less protective, it also significantly reduces accountability and public participation. Without project-specific approval, there are no binding and enforceable conditions for ministerial or cabinet oversight. The public under these changes would also be stripped of the right to request the process be elevated to a Comprehensive review from the “Streamlined” process based on environmental concerns. In addition, there is no way for the public to request that the Minister refer a Streamlined Class EA project to the independent Ontario Land Tribunal for a public hearing and decision. This further weakens our democratic process.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.