In its submission, OFA stated its opposition to the proposal to revoke Municipal Class Environmental Assessments (EA) and the proposal that similar projects in municipalities led by other proponents would have no EA requirements.
OFA believes that the reduction of environmental oversight to municipal road, water and wastewater projects is significant. It remains vital to OFA that any of these projects, whether subject to the requirements of a Municipal Class EA or not, be required to complete a mandatory Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) if the project has the potential to impact agricultural lands, activities, or systems.
Ontario plans to modernize waste management to ensure we have the infrastructure to reuse and recycle more waste. Ontario is also preparing to expand the footprint of electricity generation and storage through 2050. OFA recommends new or untested industrial-scaled technology (such as lithium-ion battery) must be sited where there are sufficient supports in place to manage system failures. In addition to a requirement for municipal government support resolution, these projects should require environmental assessments.
Previous related OFA submissions:
May 9, 2023 – OFA submission regarding proposal to move to a project list approach under the Environmental Assessment Act (ERO # 019-4219)
March 24, 2023 – Waiving or altering the 30-day Waiting Period for Class-Environmental Assessment Projects (ERO # 019-6516 / #23-MECP004)
February 23, 2022 – OFA submission to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding the Environmental Assessment Act (ERO # 019-4867)
January 25, 2022 – OFA submission to the Environmental Assessment Modernization Branch regarding the Environmental Assessment Act (ERO # 019-4219 & ERO # 019-4428)
November 19, 2021 – OFA submission to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding a class environmental assessment process (ERO # 019-4189)
September 1, 2021 – OFA submission to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding transmission lines (ERO # 019-3917)
November 9, 2020 – OFA submission regarding proposed project list for comprehensive environmental assessments under the Environmental Assessment Act (ERO # 019-2377)
August 14, 2020 – OFA submission regarding proposed Environmental Assessment exemptions for GTA West Transportation Corridor project (ERO # 019-1882)
August 14, 2020 – OFA submission regarding proposed Environmental Assessment exemptions for various general projects (ERO # 019-1883)
May 24, 2019 – OFA submission regarding Ontario’s environmental assessment program (ERO # 013-5101 & ERO # 013-5102)
April 13, 2018 – OFA submission regarding Ontario’s proposed update to the Part II Order request process under the Environmental Assessment Act (ERO # 013-2099)
October 16, 2016 – OFA comments on the proposed inclusion of Climate Change considerations in the Environmental Assessment process (ERO # 012-5806)