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We have approved the Project Evaluation Policy under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. It will guide consideration of potential environmental effects and consultation for certain proposed projects within provincial parks and conservation reserves carried out by or on behalf of the ministry.

We are delivering on our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan commitment to hold polluters accountable by expanding the use of administrative monetary penalties and modernizing the process to seize vehicle permits and plates. Once implemented, these changes will strengthen our enforcement tools to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

We have decided to end the nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions trading program by revoking O. Reg. 397/01 and O. Reg. 194/05 under the Environmental Protection Act. The Program is no longer an effective tool to address emissions of these contaminants from regulated sectors in its current form.

We made changes to Ontario’s cap and trade program to link it with the programs in Quebec and California, set program caps for 2021-2030 and improve fair treatment amongst participants.

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).

We have revised the Independent Forest Audit Process and Protocol. The revisions addressed recommendations from the 2023 review of Ontario Regulation 319/20 and feedback received during the comment period. The revisions improve the efficiency and effectiveness of independent forest audits across the province’s managed forests.

We have approved changes to the Renewable Energy on Crown Land (RECL) policy and to rescind the renewable energy project Approvals and Permitting Requirements Document (APRD). These changes reflect current policy and approvals considerations for the management of public lands when a proposal for a renewable energy project is submitted.

We updated the Protocol of Accepted Drinking Water Testing Methods and Practices for the Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples documents to reflect advances in drinking water testing methods as well as current industry knowledge and practices for use by drinking water testing laboratories and system owners and operators.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has updated its Statement of Environmental Values to reflect government and Ministry priorities.

We have amended three producer responsibility regulations made under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. These changes reduce or remove burden, correct market issues, increase transparency, align administrative and technical provisions between the regulations and remove old provisions.

We are moving forward with regulatory changes that will require proponents to self-register more types of waste management systems online. These changes will make it easier for the waste management sector to obtain environmental permissions and begin operations faster, while continuing to protect human health and the environment.

We have updated Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines’ Statement of Environmental Values to replace those of the former Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Authorization from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is required to use or occupy any land in provincial parks and conservation reserves. This regulation will allow land associated with cottage lots in Algonquin Provincial Park to be used for certain private, non-commercial purposes. (e.g., docks and swim rafts).

We have released a revised study area related to the Northwest GTA Transmission Corridor Identification Study.  The study is ongoing, and we will continue to consider the comments received as we move forward with subsequent study milestones.

Approval was granted for a licence amendment to allow Vicdom Sand & Gravel (Ontario) Ltd. to change the allowable maximum annual tonnage that can be removed from the site, operating in the City of Kawartha Lakes.