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Ontario|EnvironmentalEnvironmental Bill of Rights 379 What is the Environmental Registry? Under Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights, Ontario residents now have a formal right to participate in environmentally significant decision-making. To help people participate, a website known as the "Environmental Registry" has been established. This website gives residents of Ontario notice of environmental proposals made by any of the 13 Ontario government ministries that are covered under the Environmental Bill of Rights.
Users of the Environmental Registry can find out many details about each proposal including the name of the proponent or ministry that is putting forth the proposal, the activity to be undertaken, and where to send comments. Residents have a minimum of 30 days to comment on the government proposals. After the close of the comment period, the ministry making the proposal must review all comments received and include a brief explanation of the effect of these comments on the final decision. In this way, residents can see what was said about a given proposal and what the ministry did in response.
Registry notices include proposed changes to policies, Acts, regulations or instruments. Instruments are specific licences or orders given by a ministry to companies or individuals who want to carry out an activity that may significantly affect the environment. You can use the Registry to find out what is happening down the street or across the province. Finding the Environmental Registry is as easy as clicking on a link located at the Environmental Commissioner's website at www.eco.on.ca. It is important to note that Environmental Assessment projects do not fall under the Registry notice requirements, but can be viewed at www.ene.on.ca.
For more information, please call the Office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario at 416-325-3377 or toll-free at 1-800-701-6454.
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