What is the Environmental Assessment Act?
The purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) is to protect, conserve and wisely manage Ontario's environment. It sets out a planning and decision-making process to ensure the environmental effects of a project are evaluated and documented prior to decisions being made about proceeding to construction. The EAA promotes responsible environmental decision-making and ensures that interested persons have an opportunity to comment on projects that may affect them. In the EAA, environment is broadly defined and includes the natural, social, cultural and economic environment.
What does the Environmental Assessment Act apply to?
The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) applies to most public sector projects unless exempt.
The EAA does not apply to private sector companies unless designated by regulation or the company voluntarily agrees to comply with the EAA.
Public sector proponents include:
- provincial ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Realty Corporation
- municipalities such as towns, cities and counties
- public bodies such as conservation authorities and Metrolinx
Examples of public sector projects include: public roads and highways, transit projects, waste management projects, water and wastewater works, resource management and flood protection works.
How and when can I get involved in an environmental assessment process?
The public is encouraged to get involved in an environmental assessment (EA) process as early as possible to identify issues and concerns specific to a proposed project, before irreversible decisions are made.
The public can get involved by participating in public meetings, open houses and other public forums arranged by the proponent.
There are many opportunities for the public to participate in the EA process:
- during the preparation of a terms of reference (ToR), EA or class EA document
- by providing comments to the ministry after the submission of a ToR, EA or class EA
- by providing comments to the ministry once the review is published for an EA or class EA
- by providing comments to proponents during the planning of a class EA project; electricity, waste management or transit project following a streamlined EA process
- by reviewing and commenting on documentation prepared by a proponent for projects following a streamlined EA process
Are Aboriginal communities consulted?
Consultation is required with Aboriginal communities potentially affected by a project.
