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
* People in Ontario cannot request the Minister to refer a Streamlined Class EA project to the independent Ontario Land Tribunal for a public hearing and decision.

These changes will further diminish the scope, application, and credibility of Ontario’s EA program, and they are inconsistent with environmental justice principles and the public interest purpose of the Act.