Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services

Reform the approvals process
Chapter 13: Environment and Natural Resources
Future growth in the natural resource extraction and energy sectors will place fiscal pressure
on provincial environmental approvals and compliance resources. Indeed, a large number of
FIT contracts are expected to drive demand for MOE approvals in the coming years.
As an example of how reform could be undertaken, MOE recently launched a significant
transformation of the environmental approvals process. It is risk-based, responds to the needs
of business, takes advantage of current technology and addresses the increasing complexity
of approvals.
The previous Certificates of Approval process was relatively inflexible, requiring that all
activities go through the same approval process regardless of the activity’s complexity and risk
to the environment. This prevented MOE from focusing on potentially unique or more complex
applicants that posed more significant environmental risks.
Launched on Oct. 31, 2011, the new system has two processes: 7
1. Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) — Businesses involved in certain
routine activities that are less likely to affect the environment can self-register on the new
registry. The facility registering the activity would be required to operate according to rules
established in regulations. The EASR is currently available for heating systems, standby
power systems and automotive refinishing.
2. Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA) — Businesses with more complex activities
apply for a single, facility-based approval that addresses all potential impacts to air, land
and water pertaining to the facility’s operation. This would result in a ministry-issued
decision based on a detailed technical review of documentation submitted by the applicant,
and public input. All activities at the facility can be covered in one application.
Despite these recent improvements to the process, more can and must be done. This need is
best illustrated by an example cited in the Environmental <strong>Commission</strong>er of Ontario’s 2009–10
Annual Report: 8
7 “Proposed Environmental Activity and Sector Registry,” EBR Registry Number: 011–1959,” Jan. 18, 2011.
8 Environmental <strong>Commission</strong>er of Ontario, Annual Report 2009–10, p. 122.
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