A Citizens' Toolkit for Nature Conservation

Government Resources

About the municipal planning process in Ontario

This link takes you to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs land use planning “frequently asked questions” page. On this page are additional links to citizens’ guides on topics like subdivisions and severances, the Planning Act, and how to appeal municipal planning decisions.

www.mah.gov.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_7228_1.html

Debates of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Hansard)

Did you know you can access verbatim reports of Legislature (including Question Period) and legislative committee proceedings? Hansard is the source for official debate transcripts. Visitors can view recent debates by date, or search for a particular topic by selecting the “Hansard Search” option from the “Hansard” menu. This website is hosted by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

www.ontla.on.ca

Elections Ontario

Access this website to find out who your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) is, or what neighbourhoods are in your riding (constituency). Click on the “Find Your Electoral District” button to find your riding by postal code, or to search using the map. Also provides information for first-time voters.

www.electionsontario.on.ca

Environmental Assessment Activities in Ontario

This site explains the environmental assessment (EA) process in Ontario. It provides general information on the Environmental Assessment Act, the difference between individual and class EAs, terms of reference, “bump-up” requests, and how to get involved in an environmental assessment. Click on “EA Project Updates” to view the current status of a particular environmental assessment.

www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/ea/english

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario publications

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) produces publications relating to the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR). This page provides a list of publications, some of which can be downloaded directly. Items not available for download can be ordered free of charge from the ECO office; contact information is provided. Of particular interest is the book Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights and You, which provides an excellent summary of the EBR.

www.eco.on.ca/english/publicat/index.htm

Environmental Registry website

The Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) allows you to comment when a ministry proposes a new Act, regulation or policy, or approves an instrument (e.g. certificates of approval for landfills and permits to take water) that may significantly affect the environment. Your gateway to these Acts, regulations, policies and instruments is an electronic bulletin board called the Environmental Registry.

www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/ebr/english/index.htm

Environmental Review Tribunal

The primary role of the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) is adjudicating applications and appeals under various environmental and planning statutes. The Tribunal hears applications and appeals under the Environmental Assessment Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act, and the Pesticides Act, and leave to appeal applications under the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993.

www.ert.gov.on.ca

Ministry of Natural Resources district offices

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has 47 district offices around the province. These offices and their staff are the primary window to MNR for members of the public, and are responsible for delivering MNR programs and providing advice on resource management issues.

www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/csb/message/mnroffices.html

Natural Heritage Information Centre

A program of the Ministry of Natural Resources and other partners, the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) “compiles, maintains and provides information on rare, threatened and endangered species and spaces in Ontario.” The information is stored in a computerized database, and some of it can be retrieved online. This is a complex website, so read all instructions carefully. Keep in mind that to protect species at risk, NHIC will not supply detailed information about locations where individual species are found. To find out more, contact your MNR district office.

www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/nhic.cfm

Office of Consolidated Hearings

In cases where multiple public consultation processes for the same project result in hearings, the Office of Consolidated Hearings can appoint a panel to hold one hearing in the place of two. A consolidated hearing board (also called a Joint Board) contains a member (or two) from the Ontario Municipal Board and a member (or two) from the Environmental Review Tribunal. The Office has produced a brochure, Guide to Hearings under the Consolidated Hearings Act, explaining its rules of procedure.

www.ert.gov.on.ca/CH/ch_faq.htm

Ontario Public Service phone directory (INFO-GO)

INFO-GO is the Government of Ontario’s online directory of offices, services and employees. Browse by ministry to find addresses or learn about what the various departments do, or search for contact information for government employees.

www.infogo.gov.on.ca

Your Guide to the Ontario Municipal Board

This guide explains what the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) does, how it conducts mediation and hearings, how to appeal a decision, and other topics. It is geared toward people who will be attending a proceeding, or who simply want to know more about the OMB. Note: OMB hearings can be time-consuming and expensive, with highly unpredictable results. Ontario Nature recommends turning to the OMB hearing process only as a last resort.

www.omb.gov.on.ca/About/Documents/OMB_Guide.pdf