Open for Comment

• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has released a proposal regarding streamlining permissions for water takings for construction site dewatering activities and foundation drains. The Ministry is also seeking feedback on municipal sewer-use bylaws and their impact on the design and long-term operation of foundation drains in residential buildings. For more information, or to submit comments, visit the above hyperlink. Comments can be submitted until October 30^th.

• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is also proposing changes to streamline the permit-by-rule framework. The ministry is seeking input on how to expand the use of its permit-by-rule framework to reduce delays on projects such as new housing and businesses. For more information, or to submit comments, visit the above hyperlink. Comments can be submitted until October 30^th.

• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is also proposing changes  to streamline environmental permissions for stormwater management under the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR). This would:
  • Create a new regulation under the Environmental Protection Act to allow for certain stormwater management works to self-register on EASR.
  • Amend O.Reg 525/98 (Approval Exemptions) under the Ontario Water Resources Act to exempt some stormwater management works in residential areas from approval requirements.
  • Amend O.Reg 287/07 (General, under the Clean Water Act) by adjusting the types of policies to be included in source protection plans where a significant drinking water threat is being managed through registration on the EASR.
    • For more information, or to submit comments, please visit the first hyperlink. Comments can be submitted until October 30^th.

• The Ministry of Finance has re-launched its consultations on proposed regulations necessary for implementing  a permanent framework for multi-employer pension plans (MEPPs) providing target benefits in Ontario. The framework, revised on the feedback provided in the March consultation period, would replace the temporary funding regulations currently in place for Specified Ontario Multi-Employer Pension Plans (SOMEPPs), which expire beginning in 2024. For more details on the proposal, or to submit comments, please visit the first hyperlink. Comments can be submitted until October 17^th
• The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has released a proposal regarding returning lands to the greenbelt by amending O.Reg 59/05 (Greenbelt Boundary Regulation).  The proposed regulation will return land located in the Town of Ajax to the Greenbelt Area that was removed in 2022, as significant progress on approvals to build homes on these lands has not been made within the stipulated timelines. For more information, or to submit a comment, please visit the first hyperlink. Comments can be submitted until October 20.
• The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has released a proposal regarding the inclusion of the Jade Perch species to O.Reg 664/98 (Fishing Licensing). This would add Jade Perch (Scortum barcoo) to the list of species that are eligible for aquaculture in Ontario. For more information, or to submit a comment, please visit the first hyperlink. Comments can be submitted until October 23.
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