Amendments for Reflected Light from Environmental Compliance Approval Requirements

Description of regulation

Environmental Compliance Approvals are required by the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act for specific activities related to air and noise emissions, waste management activities and sewage and water works. The purpose of the Environmental Compliance Approval is to regulate activities that release emissions or contaminants to the environment. Environmental Compliance Approvals ensure that current environmental standards and regulatory requirements are in place to prevent or mitigate environmental impacts.

There is currently no Environmental Compliance Approval process for sources emitting radiation in the form of reflected light. This regulatory amendment is being proposed to bring the ministry’s regulatory framework in line with its practice not to require Environmental Compliance Approvals for reflected light. This amendment would exempt reflective surfaces of buildings, like windows, from having to obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval.

Purpose of regulation

Ontario is interested in working with key stakeholders, including building operators, conservation organizations, the development community and municipal governments on what we could do to better protect birds colliding with buildings that reflect light. We will be discussing how we can build on current best management practices and complimentary tools to encourage bird-friendly building design and operational practices.

The government is proposing a draft regulatory amendment to exempt radiation (reflected light) emitted from buildings from requiring an Environmental Compliance Approval.

This regulatory amendment will provide clarity to businesses and stakeholders that Environmental Compliance Approvals are not required for reflected light from buildings.

Regulatory impact statement

This regulation will provide clarity to businesses regarding a ministry practice not to require Environmental Compliance Approvals for reflected light.