Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA)

An Environmental Assessment, or EA, is a decision-making process used to promote good environmental planning by assessing the potential effects of certain activities on the environment. In Ontario, this process is defined and finds its authority in the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA), RSO 1990. The purpose of the OEAA is to provide for the:

• Protection;
• Conservation; and,
• Wise management of Ontario's environment.

The OEAA requires that MTO, complete an EA that complies with the requirements of the Act by:

• Accurately describing the undertaking;
• Considering 'alternatives to the undertaking';
• Considering alternative methods for the undertaking;
• Consulting with the public;
• Detailing impacts and mitigation; and,
• Documenting all of the above for public review.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA)

In addition to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA), the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) subjects some projects to a federal EA process. The federal process is conducted either as a Screening or a Comprehensive Study. This project will be conducted as a Screening under CEAA. A Screening under the CEAA must include:

• Description of the project;
• Description of the existing environment;
• The environmental effects of the project including cumulative effects, and the effects of possible accidents or malfunctions;
• The significance of environmental effects;
• Technically and economically feasible measures that would reduce or eliminate any significant adverse environmental effects of the project;
• Comments from the public that are received in accordance with the Act and the regulations; and,
• Any other matters relevant to the screening that the responsible authority may require to be considered.

Greenbelt Act, 2005

The Greenbelt Act, 2005 through the Greenbelt Plan protects environmentally sensitive and viable agricultural land in the Golden Horseshoe. The greenbelt consists of land from the Niagara Peninsula to Rice Lake; and includes land protected by the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. The Greenbelt Plan protects these lands from urban development and urban sprawl. The creation of the greenbelt is essential for maintaining the quality of life of communities located within the Golden Horseshoe. For more details on the Greenbelt Plan, visit: www.mah.gov.on.ca

Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe In July 2006, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Renewal released the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The Growth Plan, which was prepared and approved under the Places to Grow Act, 2005, outlines a strategy for managing growth and development in the Greater Golden Horseshoe over the next 30 years. This broad based plan represents a planning "vision" for the Province of Ontario. As a part of this vision, the plan outlines "Where and How to Grow", "Infrastructure to Support Growth", "Protecting What is Valuable" and "Implementation and Interpretation". This important planning document will help to guide planning decisions in the province including those for this project. The Growth Plan clearly supports the need to consider solutions to the significant transportation deficiencies at the existing terminus of Highway 427, to improve access to the CPR Vaughan Intermodal Facility to enhance goods movements and provide access to a major employment growth area. However, the consideration of alternatives and the implementation of individual infrastructure solutions need to be examined within the framework of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

Click here for more details on the Growth Plan. Places to Grow - Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. July 2006. Schedule 6 Moving Goods.