2020-Jul-27
GBA Opposes New Limits on Environmental Reviews in COVID Recovery Act
As Ontario prepared to move into Phase 3 of reopening, the government introduced Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020. This omnibus bill, which passed on July 21, proposes to stimulate economic growth by amending 20 existing pieces of legislation, including the environmental assessment (EA) process, in an attempt to expedite development.
Criticism is mounting on the Ford government’s cavalier action in fast-tracking the COVID-19 Recovery Act, and the provisions that compromise the EA process. The potential for a legal challenge to this bill is being widely explored by many, who have grave concerns that by treating environmental protections as “so much red tape”, this government is clearing the path for rampant development with no environmental oversight and using the COVID crisis to help further that objective.
GBA strongly opposes the changes to the EA process in this bill and is working with our partners on potential next steps. Read more here.
Additional background information on Bill 197 can be found here.