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We have made regulations and taken related actions to move Ontario to a project list approach under the Environmental Assessment Act. Projects that require a comprehensive environmental assessment are now set out in regulation.

We amended Mining Lands Policies to support the implementation of a new electronic Mining Lands Administrative System (MLAS). The amendments reflect the functionality of the MLAS and legislative changes.

We have considered all feedback received and are proceeding to enhance certain provisions in the Far North Act, 2010 that encourage collaboration between Ontario and First Nations on land use planning, amend or delete provisions that may hinder economic development, and retain joint land use planning with all First Nations in the Far North.

The new regulation under the Planning Act outlines details for the implementation of the community benefits charge authority and parkland dedication. This reg. is part of the framework that provides municipalities with the tools necessary to fund services that growing communities need while making the costs of building housing more predictable.

The exploration permit was issued.

Permit Proposal withdrawn.

We amended regulations under the Mining Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Environmental Bill of Rights that came into force on April 1, 2021. The amended regulations include updating section references to align with the legislative amendments to the Mining Act, which received Royal Assent on December 10, 2019, under Bill 132.

The Green Energy Repeal Act repealed the Green Energy Act and amended other Acts to re-introduce conservation and energy efficiency initiatives, restore municipal authority over siting renewable energy projects, and create the authority to prohibit issuance of Renewable Energy Approvals, including where demand for electricity is not demonstrated.

The government has made changes to the Planning Act and City of Toronto Act to support increasing housing supply and streamlining planning approvals.

A new regulation was made to ensure the appropriate siting of renewable energy generation facilities.

The Director of Exploration has made a decision on the exploration permit application PR-21-000067 for early exploration activities.

The decision is to: issue the mineral exploration permit

To address the need for better affordable housing choices, the Promoting Affordable Housing Act, 2016 proposed amendments to the Planning Act that would enable municipalities to use inclusionary zoning through the land-use planning system. Based on input received on this proposal, matters were considered for regulatory proposals.

We decided to renew 2 existing mining leases, #106466 and #107254, used to support/provide access to the underground salt mine operations of the Ojibway Mine below the Detroit River. The lessee has met the conditions for renewal and the leases will be issued substantially on the terms and conditions set out in the consultation draft that was posted

A decision has been made to amend the Official Plan Adjustments Act, 2023 to retroactively reinstate municipally requested modifications to official plans for the cities of Barrie, Belleville, Guelph, Hamilton, Ottawa and Peterborough, Wellington County and the regions of Niagara, Peel, Halton, York, and Waterloo.

OMAFRA has made a new Minister’s Regulation under the Drainage Act.  This will implement the amendments to the Drainage Act that were included in Schedule 4 of the COVID Economic Recovery Act, 2020.  It will address stakeholder concerns and reduce burden while maintaining environmental protections.

We proceeded with our proposal for the new Assessment Work and Mining Claims Regulations. These revoked former regulations and set out new rules in dealing with mining claims and reporting assessment work. This reflects the changes made in Mining Act Modernization (MAM) Phase 3, and the new mining lands administration system (MLAS).

The Director of Exploration has made a decision on the exploration permit application PR-20-000137 to Inventus Mining Corporation for early exploration activities near Sudbury, Ontario.

The decision is to: Issue.

On April 1, 2024, O. Reg. 240/00 Advanced Exploration, Mine Development and Closure Under Part VII of the Act will be replaced with a new regulation, O Reg. 35/24, titled "Rehabilitation of Lands." This new regulation retains most of the provisions of O. Reg. 240/00, integrating amendments and aligning with the Building More Mines Act, 2023.