Got a question about Environmental Assessment or the Environmental Assessment Act?

The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) is administered by the ministry of the Environment, not the ECO.

This page contains information about EAs as they relate to the Environmental Bill of Rights. For all other inquiries, please see the Ministry of the Environment's Environmental Assessment website.

The Environmental Assessment Act and the Environmental Bill of Rights

Under the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), proposals for major public and some private projects are assessed to make sure they are environmentally acceptable. Because the EAA provides for some public participation, the EAA is exempted from parts of the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) so that public participation processes aren't duplicated.

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) must consider its Statement of Environmental Values when it makes decisions under the EAA.

The EAA and the Environmental Registry

What's posted on the Registry:

• Environmentally significant policies and regulations under the EAA
• Amendments to the EAA
• Exemptions from the EA process

What's not posted on the Registry:

• Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Terms of Reference proposals
• Instruments, such as permits and approvals which implement decisions that were already approved as part of individual or class EAs (a class EA is an Environmental Assessment of a group of activities).

Application For Review

You can apply for a Review of all policies and regulations under the EAA, and of the EAA itself. You can also apply for a Review of a decision to exempt an undertaking from the EA process, if that decision was made after November 15, 1994. You cannot apply for a Review of the need for a new exemption for a proposed project or activity under the EAA. You cannot apply for a Review of a decision to approve an undertaking if the decision was made on or before November 15, 1994.

Application For Investigation

You can apply for an Investigation of a violation of the EAA or its regulations. You can also apply for an Investigation of a violation of conditions attached to an exemption of an undertaking from the EA process. You can apply for an Investigation of an alleged contravention of the conditions on an EA approval.

Right To Sue

You have the right to sue for harm to a public resource that results from a violation of the EAA, its regulations and prescribed instruments under it.

Employer Reprisals

You are protected if your employer punishes you for seeking enforcement of, or for giving information in relation to, the EAA, its regulations and prescribed instruments under it.

Need More Information?

Contact the Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch:
General Inquiry: 416-314-8001
Toll Free: 800-461-6290
Fax: 416-314-8452
Address:
12A Flr
2 St Clair Ave W
Toronto ON M4V1L5