2019-Apr-21
Ford Government closes the Office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO)
Despite a well coordinated campaign to ask the Ontario government not to close the ECO this valuable protection for the Ontario environment has been diminished, even though many of its former functions have now been transferred to the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario.
For instance, environmental rights for individuals and organizations have been preserved ( http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/downloads/ECO_FAQs_April1_en.pdf ) as are the notification structure and procedures via the Environmental Registry ( https://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/ ).
Anyone wishing to, must now submit applications for environmental reviews and/or investigations directly to the ministry that you want to have conduct such a review, instead of applying via the ECO. Ministry’s will be required to copy the Auditor General’s office on such applications to ensure compliance, but it is strongly advised that you copy the Auditor General on applications.
Please read the letter GBA received on this here …