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ARTICLE · 08 NOVEMBER 2011

Ontario's New Environmental Approval System Takes Effect

Stikeman Elliott LLP
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Beginning October 31, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s (the MOE) new online environmental approval application and self-registration system takes effect.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
The Energy Practice Group
The Energy Practice Group
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Beginning October 31, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's (the MOE) new online environmental approval application and self-registration system takes effect. As part of the MOE's new risk-based approach for processing requests for environmental approvals, the new approvals system will focus on the potential risk that the activity in question poses to the environment and to human health.

An Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) will replace a Certificate of Approval (C of A). Complex or higher-risk activities will follow the new ECA application process, while standardized or lower-risk activities will follow the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (the EASR) registration process.

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