Ontario proposes to enlarge the scope of the Environmental Bill of Rights, but not enough to satisfy the Environmental Commissioner. Ontario Regulation 73/94 determines which ministries are subject to the Environmental Bill of Rights. The Environmental Commissioner has long complained that too many government decisions are shielded from EBR review.
In response, the government now proposes to add the Ministries of Transportation and Health and Long-Term Care to certain parts of the Bill. The Clean Water Act will be added, it as will certain parts of the Health Protection and Promotion Act which regulate small drinking water systems. Three minor acts are also added, including the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act 2006 and the Energy Conservation Leadership Act 2006. Some statute names will be updated. However, several ministries that the environmental commissioner believes he should be subject to EBR will remain exempt.