Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 02 FEBRUARY 2011

Ministry Of The Environment Proposes Reform Of Environmental Approvals Process

Torys
Torys
Contributor
Torys

Torys

Torys LLP is an international business law firm that works with clients who expect the best advice...

View firm profile
Explore more from Torys

Following the enactment of the Open for Business Act (see Torys’ bulletin for details), the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has begun identifying certain low-risk activities that will no longer require certain environmental approvals, provided that the activities meet specific requirements and are registered on a proposed database called the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR).

CanadaEnvironment
Dennis Mahony
Dennis Mahony
David Chernos
David Chernos
Tyson Dyck
Tyson Dyck
Crawford Smith
Crawford Smith
Michael Fortier
Michael Fortier
Author LinkedIn connections

Ontario

Ministry Of The Environment Proposes Reform Of Environmental Approvals Process

Following the enactment of the Open for Business Act (see Torys' bulletin for details), the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has begun identifying certain low-risk activities that will no longer require certain environmental approvals, provided that the activities meet specific requirements and are registered on a proposed database called the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR). On January 18, 2011, the MOE published technical reports on certain automotive, comfort heating, printing and standby power generation activities that may qualify for registration on the EASR (and thereby for an exemption from the requirement to obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval, which is the approval that will replace the Certificate of Approval under the Environmental Protection Act and Ontario Water Resources Act, when all the Open for Business Act provisions come

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Amendments Streamline Project List Under Impact Assessment Act

The Government of Canada has amended regulations under the Impact Assessment Act to streamline environmental reviews for major infrastructure projects, particularly interprovincial pipelines. These changes shift regulatory responsibility for certain energy projects to the Canada Energy Regulator while removing other project types from federal review following the Supreme Court's 2024 constitutional ruling.
CanadaEnvironment
MLT Aikins LLP
MLT Aikins LLP
Article

Federal Government Removes Certain Energy Projects From The Impact Assessment Act Project List

The Canadian government has removed seven types of energy projects from federal impact assessment requirements, shifting review responsibilities to the Canada Energy Regulator and provincial processes. This regulatory change affects pipelines, electrical transmission lines, oil sands facilities, and power plants, fundamentally altering how major energy infrastructure projects will be evaluated and approved across Canada.
CanadaEnvironment
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault
Article

Canadian Product Stewardship And EPR: 2026 Summer Update

Canadian governments and producer-responsibility organizations are refining extended producer responsibility programs across the country, affecting packaging, batteries, electronics, and hazardous products. Recent regulatory changes include expanded collection obligations, adjusted compliance timelines, and new enforcement measures, with significant developments in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic provinces.
CanadaEnvironment
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

Ontario Invites Expressions Of Interest For Licences Under The Geologic Carbon Storage Act

Ontario has launched its first call for expressions of interest in carbon capture and storage licences under the new Geologic Carbon Storage Act, targeting Crown-owned pore space beneath lakebeds surrounding the Ontario Peninsula. The detailed submission requirements reveal expectations that proponents have advanced well beyond initial planning stages, with the process serving as a critical test of Ontario's emerging CCS framework and its attractiveness to industry.
CanadaEnvironment
Torys
Torys
Article

Government Of Canada Makes Significant Changes To Energy Project Approvals Process

On September 3, the Government of Canada published amendments removing seven types of energy projects from the Physical Activities Regulations (the Project List) under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). As a result, these types of projects will no longer be subject to the IAA but will continue to be regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator Act (CER Act) or applicable provincial environmental assessment regimes.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Torys
Torys
Article

Ontario Invites Expressions Of Interest For Licences Under The Geologic Carbon Storage Act

Ontario has launched its first call for expressions of interest in carbon capture and storage licences under the new Geologic Carbon Storage Act, targeting Crown-owned pore space beneath lakebeds surrounding the Ontario Peninsula. The detailed submission requirements reveal expectations that proponents have advanced well beyond initial planning stages, with the process serving as a critical test of Ontario's emerging CCS framework and its attractiveness to industry.
CanadaEnvironment
Torys
Torys
Article

New Flight Path: Canada Seeks Private Investment In Airports Through Long-term Concession Arrangements

Canada has announced plans to attract private investment through long-term concessions to operate its four largest airports: Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver International, Montréal-Trudeau, and Calgary International. The federal government will retain ownership of the underlying airport land and assets while seeking tens of billions of dollars in private capital to be reinvested in regional airports and local transport infrastructure. Key details regarding the scope of private operational involvement, award
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Torys
Torys
Podcast

BWA Morning Espresso: SCC Annuls The Federal Election In Terrebonne (Podcast)

The Supreme Court of Canada overturned a federal election result decided by a single vote after Elections Canada's postal code error prevented a voter from casting their mail-in ballot. The Court's majority found this administrative negligence constituted an irregularity warranting annulment, while the dissent argued such clerical errors shouldn't destabilize election finality.
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Torys
Torys