On-going
Way Forward Commitment:
The objective of the environmental assessment process is to ensure that development proceeds in an environmentally acceptable manner. The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, in partnership with the appropriate regulatory and economic development departments, will conduct a review of Part X of the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2003 in 2017-18. The last review of this process occurred in 2002. The review will begin with a jurisdictional scan of relevant legislation, business processes and best practices across Canada.
What We’ve Accomplished:
- Throughout 2018-19, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment (MAE) worked towards initiating public consultations on the environmental assessment review.
- An advisory committee comprised of the Public Engagement Division of the Communications and Public Engagement Branch, the Environmental Assessment Division, and Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industries Association (NEIA) was established to support and guide the consultation process.
- An interdepartmental working group, comprised of key regulatory and economic development departments, completed a preliminary report on the results of a jurisdictional scan and best practices and a review of the current approach in comparison with the approach of other jurisdictions in key areas of the environmental assessment process.
- Officials are actively participating and engaged in the federal environment assessment review process. The provincial review process is giving careful consideration to the federal process and associated outcomes as its work continues.
- On April 4, 2019, MAE launched public consultations on the provincial environmental assessment processes and regulations. Data gathered will be used to modernize environmental assessments in a way that ensures environmental protection and effective industry regulation. An online discussion document and questionnaire has been made available on the engageNL platform and the department is also accepting written submissions by email and regular mail. The general public, as well as businesses, environmental, community, and industry stakeholders are encouraged to contribute to the consultations process. These consultations build on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents.
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