This consultation was open from:
October 21, 2019
to December 5, 2019
Decision summary
We have completed the 5-year review of the Guide. Changes to the Guide include alignment with updated standards/criteria and regulations, as well as a revised assessment methodology. The updated Guide will apply to new projects.
Decision details
The Guide was developed in June 2012 to provide a standardized approach for the assessment and mitigation of air quality impacts and greenhouse gas emissions associated with MTO projects.
On October 21, 2019, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) posted proposed updates to the existing “Environmental Guide for Assessing and Mitigating the Air Quality Impacts and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Provincial Transportation Projects” (Guide) for public comment. MTO has considered the comments and made changes where appropriate in the final Guide. MTO will keep the remaining comments on file and may consider them for future updates.
With the publishing of this decision notice, the updated Guide is now in effect for upcoming MTO projects that are starting an air quality/ greenhouse gas impact assessment.
Effects of consultation
Comments were based on increasing the scope of the guide, changes on recommended setback distances, details on mitigation options and monitoring.
There was support for a number of changes such as including benzo(a)pyrene to the contaminant list and the updated emissions estimation software.
In response to the comments received, the Guide has been updated with additional language to highlight the opportunity to minimize or avoid local air quality impacts through route selection.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
777 Bay Street
Suite 700
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J8
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Cheryl Davis
777 Bay Street
Suite 700
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J8
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Description
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is responsible for identifying and assessing the air quality and climate change issues of its proposed transportation projects. Transportation projects can have local and regional impacts, as well as contribute to global impacts on atmospheric conditions.
The “Environmental Guide for Assessing and Mitigating the Air Quality Impacts and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Provincial Transportation Projects” (the “Guide”), was developed in June 2012 to provide a standardized approach for the assessment and mitigation of air quality impacts and greenhouse gas emissions associated with MTO projects.
Based on MTO’s experience in applying the Guide through various projects, recent changes to standards/criteria and regulations, MTO is proposing several updates to the Guide. These proposed updates were made in consultation with an intergovernmental working group, including technical and environmental assessment representatives from both the provincial and federal level of governments.
Highlights of the proposed updates include:
- updated provincial and federal air quality standards
- updated emissions estimation software
- benzo(a)pyrene included as an air toxic
- removal of “credible worst-case scenario” from Task 3
- removal of equation for comparing alternatives
- Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) consultation is recommended when developing meteorological data and determining the need to mitigate
Purpose
The proposed updates to the Guide fulfill the requirement to review the document on a regular basis.
The intended users of the Guide are MTO staff and consultants retained by MTO to execute Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas (AQ/GHG) impact assessments. The revised standardized approach will allow MTO staff and consultants to follow a defined analysis and mitigation methodology, and provide information to the public as to the scope and process for AQ/GHG assessments.
Public consultation opportunities
In accordance with the Ministry of Transportation’s Statement of Environmental Values, the Ministry believes that public consultation is critical to sound environmental decision making. The public is invited to submit written comments regarding the proposal to the address listed below (please quote the Environmental Registry of Ontario number when submitting comments). Additionally, you may submit your comments online.
For further technical information contact:
Timothy Hung
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of Transportation
Policy and Planning Division
Transportation Planning Branch
Environmental Policy Office
777 Bay Street, 7th Floor Suite 700
Toronto, ON, M7A 2J8
tim.hung@ontario.ca
437-215-2248
All comments will be considered as part of the decision-making by the ministry if they:
- are submitted online through this posting or submitted in writing with the Environmental Registry of Ontario number clearly referenced; and
- are received by the contact person within the specified comment period.
Please Note: No acknowledgment or individual response will be provided to those who comment. All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
777 Bay Street
Suite 700
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J8
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from October 21, 2019
to December 5, 2019
Connect with us
Contact
Katerina Downard
777 Bay Street
Suite 700
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J8
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
2By email
0By mail
0