This consultation was open from:
June 24, 2026
to August 8, 2026
Decision summary
The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) has updated its Statement of Environmental Values (SEV), in accordance with the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 (EBR).
Decision details
MEM held a 45-day consultation period and updated its SEV. A decision was made to finalize the draft proposal, revised to reflect feedback received as described below.
Effects of consultation
MEM received two comments on this proposal. These comments emphasized that energy and environmental decision-making should better reflect the needs of low-income households and strengthen environmental accountability.
The feedback received suggested additional environmental considerations as well as enhanced consultation and Indigenous engagement, increased public reporting, and comprehensive assessment of mining and hydroelectric projects.
In response to the comments received, MEM is proposing some revisions to highlight affordability, equitable access to energy, energy efficiency, and referencing environmental considerations with respect to water, land, and ecological systems.
The SEV provides guidance when considering decisions that may impact the environment. As such, the document must apply broadly across MEM initiatives. For this reason, several suggestions from the comments were not included in the final draft as the proposed language was too specific or operational in nature. MEM believes the broader language in the proposed SEV, as amended, is inclusive of the proposals from the feedback received.
Supporting materials
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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.
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Contact
Michael Di Cosmo
77 Grenville Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2C1
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) is proposing to update its Statement of Environmental Values (SEV) to reflect its current mandate and structure as one ministry (MEM) formerly the Ministry of Energy (ENERGY) and Ministry of Mines (MINES).
The Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 (EBR) 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 EBR requires that ministries prescribed under the Act develop and publish a SEV specific to their work. 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 significantly affect the environment.
This proposal will consolidate the former SEVs into one comprehensive statement that reflects MEM’s integrated responsibilities in energy and mining, clarify how environmental purposes are applied in decision-making, and support transparency and accountability.
Key Changes to the SEV
- The mandate reflects both energy and mines-related responsibilities.
- Content from section four, “Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation”, has merged with section three, “Application of the SEV” and includes statements related to building resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Section three organizes the SEV’s application with respect to the energy and mining sectors, and introduces considerations related to advancing energy efficiency, mineral exploration and development, evaluating long-term mining projects and comparing climate change impacts between emission intensive and non-intensive energy resources.
Additional materials are attached.
The ministry will consider all feedback received.
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.
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from June 24, 2026
to August 8, 2026
Connect with us
Contact
Michael Di Cosmo
77 Grenville Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2C1
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
1By email
1By mail
0