Declaration order under the Environmental Assessment Act for the Bell Boulevard Road Widening project

Public consultation is not required when, in the minister’s opinion, the environmentally significant aspects of the proposal have already been considered in a process of public participation that was substantially equivalent to the process required by the Environmental Bill of Rights.

The proponent undertook consultation on the proposed project as part of a municipal class environmental assessment process, started prior to this declaration order. As part of this process, the City of Belleville issued a public notice (Notice of Study Commencement), held one public information centre, maintained a project web site and contacted Indigenous communities.

The ministry consulted with Indigenous communities regarding the proposed exemption. The communities contacted by the ministry indicated they had no concerns with the exemption or the project.

The project is expected to be within the road right of way, which is already disturbed by other developments. Based on studies completed by the City, no significant environmental effects were anticipated. However, to ensure environmental protection, conditions have been included in the declaration order to ensure the proponent implements the mitigation measures in its environmental reports proposed for the project.