1. INTRODUCTION
The Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) was proclaimed in February 1994. The founding principles of the EBR are stated in its Preamble:
- The people of Ontario recognize the inherent value of the natural environment.
- The people of Ontario have a right to a healthful environment.
- The people of Ontario have as a common goal, the protection, conservation and restoration of the natural environment for the benefit of the present and future generations.
While the government has the primary responsibility for achieving this goal, the people should have means to ensure that it is achieved in an effective, timely, open and fair manner.
The purposes of the Act are:
- to protect, conserve and where reasonable, restore the integrity of the environment by the means provided in the Act;
- to provide sustainability of the environment by the means provided in the Act; and,
- to protect the right to a healthful environment by the means provided in the Act.
These purposes include the following:
- The prevention, reduction and elimination of the use, generation and release of pollutants that are an unreasonable threat to the integrity of the environment.
- The protection and conservation of biological, ecological and genetic diversity.
- The protection and conservation of natural resources, including plant life, animal life and ecological systems.
- The encouragement of the wise management of our natural resources, including plant life, animal life and ecological systems.
- The identification, protection and conservation of ecologically sensitive areas or processes.
To assist in fulfilling these purposes, the Act provides:
- The means by which Ontarians may participate in the making of environmentally significant decisions by the Government of Ontario;
- Increased accountability of the Government of Ontario for its environmental decision making;
- Increased access to the courts by residents of Ontario for the protection of the environment; and
- Enhanced protection for employees who take action in respect of environmental harm.
The EBR requires a Statement of Environmental Values (SEV) from all prescribed ministries. The prescribed ministries are listed at: https://ero.ontario.ca/page/sevs
SEVs are a means for designated government ministries to record their commitment to the environment and be accountable for ensuring consideration of the environment in their decisions. A SEV explains:
- How the purposes of the EBR will be applied when decisions that might significantly affect the environment are made in the ministry; and
- How consideration of the purposes of the EBR will be integrated with other considerations, including social, economic, Indigenous, and scientific considerations that are part of decision-making in the Ministry.
It is each Minister's responsibility to take every reasonable step to ensure that the SEV is considered whenever decisions that might significantly affect the environment are made in the ministry.
The Ministry of Energy will examine the SEV on a periodic basis to ensure the SEV is up-to-date and accurate.
2. MINISTRY VISION, MANDATE AND BUSINESS
- The Ministry of Energy works to develop a safe, reliable, and affordable energy supply across the province. Additionally, the Ministry of Energy. The Ministry pursues its vision and mandate in a manner consistent with the Crown’s duty to consult and works to minimize the impact of these activities on public health and safety and the environment.
- The Ministry of Energy
- Provides advice and establishes policies concerning the operation, cost, reliability, and sustainability of Ontario’s energy system.
- This SEV reflects the Ministry’s commitment to transparency when making decisions that might significantly impact the environment.
- More details on the Ministry of Energy’s responsibilities can be found on the Ministry’s website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-energy.
3. APPLICATION OF THE SEV
The Ministry of Energy is committed to applying the purposes of the EBR when decisions that might significantly affect the environment need to be made by the Ministry. As it develops acts, regulations, policies, and instruments the Ministry will:
- Consider the effects of decisions on current and future generations of Ontarians, consistent with principles of sustainable development;
- Consider the opportunities and threats from climate change to Ontario’s environment, and people’s health, safety, and prosperity, and evaluate opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or enhance Ontario’s resilience to a changing climate;
- Consider and evaluate environmental costs, benefits, and risks when planning future initiatives and ensure that cost-effective environmental protections are incorporated, when required. Where appropriate, this may include:
- Comparing the differing environmental impacts, opportunities and costs of energy sources and other technologies, including their associated environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions; and
- Promoting conservation and the efficient use of energy to ensure consumers can make informed decisions.
4. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION
In collaboration with individuals, businesses, communities, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and Indigenous communities, the Ministry of Energy will work to advance the province’s core climate change goals by:
- Building Resilience:
- improving our understanding of how climate change will impact Ontario and helping Ontarians prepare for the impacts of climate change; and
- updating government policies and building partnerships to improve local climate resilience.
- Continuing to do our share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Ministry of Energy will endeavour to support local climate change solutions and community resilience when making decisions that may significantly affect the environment.
5. INTEGRATION WITH OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
In line with the purpose of the EBR, the Ministry of Energy will strive to balance environmental considerations with social, economic, Indigenous, and scientific considerations when making decisions that might significantly affect the environment.
The Ministry of Energy will integrate this SEV into its strategic planning, priority setting and policy and program development activities.
The Ministry of Energy will balance environmental values and other relevant considerations by comparing environmental impacts with other impacts to communities, to Ontarians, and to future generations of Ontarians.
The Ministry of Energy will work to ensure that decisions that may significantly impact the environment are evidence-based and constitute efficient and effective means to achieve positive outcomes for Ontarians.
The Ministry of Energy will consider advancing energy efficiency through existing policy tools and encourage energy conservation and the efficient use of energy in those sectors where it provides policy direction or programs.
6. CONSULTATION
The Ministry of Energy recognizes that assessing the impacts of decisions that may significantly affect the environment is best accomplished when affected communities, including Indigenous communities, are consulted.
The Ministry of Energy aspires to consult with affected communities in an open and transparent manner by:
- Posting clear documentation on the environmental registry so that Ontarians can contribute to the policy decision making process;
- Considering affected communities’ concerns about environmental impacts and climate change, and the costs and benefits of regulation;
- Engaging with affected communities in their preferred language, wherever feasible.
7. CONSIDERATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
The Ministry of Energy commits to building respectful relationships and engaging in a meaningful way with Indigenous people and communities.
In addition, the Ministry of Energy recognizes and is committed to fulfilling the Crown’s constitutional duty to consult and accommodate First Nation and Métis communities when the Ministry contemplates an action or decision that might adversely affect established or asserted Aboriginal or treaty rights.
When making decisions that might significantly affect the environment, the Ministry will provide opportunities for the engagement and involvement of Indigenous people and communities affected so that their broader interests can be considered appropriately. This commitment is not intended to alter or detract from any constitutional obligation the province may have with respect to the duty to consult.
8. GREENING OF INTERNAL OPERATIONS
The Ministry of Energy is committed to reducing its environmental footprint by greening its internal operations. The Ministry will support cost effective sustainability practices among its partners, stakeholders and suppliers as well as government-wide greening, sustainability initiatives, conservation and the efficient use of energy.
9. MONITORING
The Ministry of Energy will document how this SEV was considered when making decisions that may significantly affect the environment.
The Ministry of Energy will ensure that staff are aware of the Ministry’s obligations under the EBR, including the content and application of the Ministry’s SEV.