On March 31, 2020, the Minister of Environment and Parks issued
Ministerial Order 17/2020, which suspends certain environmental
information reporting requirements in Alberta, with the exception
of reporting requirements applicable to drinking water (the
“Order”). See Order
here.
Authority to Issue the Order
The Order was issued under the authority of section 52.1(3) of
the Public Health Act, which provides the Minister with
power to make an order, without consultation, to suspend or modify
the application or operation of all or part of an enactment if the
Minister is satisfied that the application or operation of all or
part of the enactment is not in the public interest.
The Order identifies the “hardship of having to comply
with routine reporting requirements pursuant to the terms and
conditions of approvals, registrations, licenses and
dispositions” during the COVID-19 public health emergency as
to why the suspension is needed.
