Ontario’s environment faces a new threat. The provincial government wants to erode critical water protection laws in order to ease regulations for construction projects.

If implemented, these changes would enable some stormwater, wastewater and water-taking activities to proceed without an upfront review by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Public participation and the right to appeal under the Environmental Bill of Rights would also be eliminated. 

Instead, the companies themselves – in a glaring conflict of interest – would self-register on the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR), and start executing their projects right away. The EASR lacks the proper resources and processes to effectively oversee environmental protections! Most registered projects remain uninspected. 

Sign on to urge your MPP to maintain and strengthen, not weaken, Ontario’s water protection laws.

The proposed changes, following amendments made by the provincial government under Bill C-23, endanger our water and health in many ways. For example, the exclusion of Conservation Authorities from notifications regarding water taking activities will negatively impact their ability to make flood and drought forecasts, and protect our drinking water sources. 

Fortunately, there is another way to speed up construction projects and address Ontario’s critical housing needs without weakening environmental protections. The province needs to allocate proper resources to the existing Environmental Compliance Approval process, ensuring efficient oversight under current water protection laws.

Our clean drinking water and the health of our communities are too precious to risk! Urge your MPP and the Premier to not proceed with the proposed changes and instead, preserve our current water protections.

Your letter will be sent to: Your MPP, cc: Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.