Overhaul of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
The federal government, as part of their attempt to stimulate the economy, has overhauled the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
From a Globe and Mail article on the topic:
On Thursday, the changes were revealed in the Canada Gazette. Effective immediately, and for the next two years, numerous types of projects will not require a federal environmental assessment in certain circumstances. They include construction and remodelling of community buildings, water treatment and distribution systems, transit, road construction and waste management projects.
“When you look at the exclusion list … [it's] big enough to run your rapid transit through. I mean, the loopholes [are] major opportunities for abuse,” Stephen Hazell, the executive director of Sierra Club Canada, said yesterday. “My reading of this … would allow [Ottawa MP] John Baird to authorize a bigger bridge over the Ottawa River and the highway up to it without any environmental assessment.”
The complete article can be found here:
Mar. 21, Globe and Mail: ‘Abuse’ foreseen in assessment exemptions
Given the sensitivity around the location of the bridge, this is cause for concern. Although exactly how this regulation change will impact the next phase of the study is undetermined at this point.
What it does to is further murky the waters as to how exactly the NCC will proceed in the next phase of the study, reinforcing the importance of public consultation and transparency in determining the phase 2 terms of reference.
Will the NCC provide this public consultation and transparency around their process to define the terms of reference? This is TBD, but it is important for the public to voice any concerns around this process before it is too late.
Tags: Environmental Assessment Act
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