Statement of Environmental Values for the Ministry of Infrastructure

Description of policy

We are proposing a Statement of Environmental Values (SEV) in order to reflect the establishment of the Ministry of Infrastructure and changes in its structure and mandate, as well as to acknowledge the priority of addressing climate change.

The Environmental Bill of Rights Act, 1993 (EBR) is unique legislation and an important tool in environmental protection. It establishes mechanisms to ensure the public is informed, engaged and consulted on matters of environmental significance, as well as to provide for government accountability in environmental decision-making.

The SEV requires that each ministry prescribed under the act develop and publish a SEV specific to the work of that ministry. A SEV is a ministry’s statement of environmental principles and a guidance document directing the minister and ministry staff as they make decisions regarding policies, acts, regulations and instruments that might affect the environment.

The EBR requires that the SEV explain:

• how the purposes of the act are to be applied when decisions that might significantly affect the environment are made in the ministry; and
• how consideration of the purposes of the act should be integrated with other considerations, including social, economic and scientific considerations, that are part of decision-making in the ministry.

We are proposing a SEV to:

• Reflect the establishment of the Ministry of Infrastructure;
• Reflect the ministry mandate;
• Incorporate commitments to mitigate and adapt to climate change;
• Ensure that the language used in the SEV is consistent with the language used in the EBR.

Purpose of policy

To update the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Statement of Environmental Values to incorporate its name change, reflect changes in the ministry’s structure and mandate, and acknowledge the priority of addressing climate change.