Learn more about how dams affect fish populations through this short video! 🐟
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Photo by Linda Heron
ERO-019-7356 – Development of a Project Evaluation Policy under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act
This government has been systematically removing public consultation opportunities for projects and issues of strong public interest, which goes against the spirit and intent of section 35 of the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR).
Provincial parks and conservation areas must not be exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act as there will be no legal requirement to consider:
- Potential environmental effects;
- Mitigation measures;
- Alternative ways of carrying out the undertaking, and
- Alternatives to the undertaking.
There is also no decision-making mechanism which considers the environmental advantages/disadvantages of the undertaking.
Draft State of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) and Risk Management Scope for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by ECCC and HC – Supporting
The State of the PFAS report and the Risk Management Scope document were released for public comments during a time when Bill S-5 (Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act) received Royal Assent on June 13, 2023. The updated CEPA includes substantial changes to the listing of toxic substances under Schedule 1 of CEPA. The findings of the State of PFAS concluding PFAS as a class meet more than one criterion under section 64 are expected to be relevant due to the changes in CEPA. A listing of PFAS as a class under CEPA should be made in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of CEPA. Based on the body of evidence collected in the State of the PFAS report demonstrating the ecological toxicity and associated impacts of PFAS as a class to health, it is critical that PFAS as a class be given the full scope of regulatory measures, particularly with a focus on prohibition, that is permitted under CEPA.
Learn about the extraordinary American Eel!
It’s a lizard, It’s a snake, It’s one of the most unique fishes in the world: the American Eel!
Known for their elongated bodies and short fins, these fish which were once very common in North American waterbodies, are now endangered. This is largely due to the presence of hydroelectric dams, which block their natural migration routes, making them unable to reach their breeding grounds in the ocean.
Learn more about their impressive migrations, extraordinary life cycle, and current conservation efforts through this short video.
Marmora Pumped Storage – Clean Energy Hub Project
This closed-loop pumped storage Project does not seem likely to result in any serious negative impacts to other freshwater bodies, nor methylmercury contamination of fish tissue or greenhouse gas emissions, and it will provide clean backup power during the low-flow periods when small run-of-river hydroelectric facilities are shutting down because of reduced stream flow. Comparing the power output of this peak demand storage Project, and its minimal environmental impacts to the number of rivers it would have taken to generate 400 to 500 MW of power from dozens of small hydropower projects, makes it ORA’s preferred choice over conventional hydroelectric facilities.
Damming rivers adds mercury to your fish dish!
Learn about how dams lead to the accumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury in fish! 🍣☣️
ERO-019-6647 – IESO Pathways to Decarbonization Study
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Reservoirs
The ORA will never be in favour of streamlining the regulatory, approvals and permitting processes as they were put in place to protect our natural environment and communities, and have already been significantly undermined.
Instead, we need strong and rigorous environmental assessment and robust public, Indigenous and stakeholder consultation if we are to build climate resilience into our air, land and freshwater resources.
I will briefly address my rationale and the dangers of streamlining the regulatory regime of hydroelectric facilities in particular, as it is commonly claimed by governments and industry to be ‘clean’, ‘green’ and ‘non-emitting. However, this is misleading the public at a pivotal time when we should be following the science.
Related Information:
ERO-019-4219 Project List Amendments; ERO-019-6693 Municipal Class EA; ERO-019-6705 Improving Timelines for Comprehensive EAs
Scanning Wabagishik for mussels.
For the reasons set out below, CELA and other aligned organizations and First Nations conclude that the various environmental assessment (EA) proposals set out in these Registry notices are highly problematic, unsupported by persuasive evidence, and contrary to the public interest purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), namely the betterment of Ontarians by providing for the protection, conservation, and wise management of the environment.
Accordingly, we collectively recommend that these current proposals should be withdrawn and re-considered by the Ontario government.
ORA Presentation at Indie Film Studio – ‘RIVER’
Bill 71, ERO-019-6715 – Proposed Building More Mines Act, 2023
Re: Bill 71
ERO-019-6715 – Proposed Building More Mines Act, 2023
ERO-019-6749 – Consequential administrative amendments under the Mining Act
ERO-019-6750 – Proposed regulatory amendments to closure plan and rehabilitation
A very disturbing reality has been revealed, that this government is clearly moving away from evidence-based decision-making that is grounded in science and, instead, is moving fully into a total lack of regard for environmental and stakeholder protections, and Indigenous treaty rights. This government is going too far in its efforts to cut red tape and deregulate environmental protections in Ontario.