Regulation - Minister
Proposed updates to the regulation of development for the protection of people and property from natural hazards in Ontario
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
Summary of Decision:
Please refer to the Environmental Registry - 019-2927
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
This analysis considers the changes to the Conservation Authorities Act related to conservation authority permits made as part of the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 as well as regulatory changes impacting the conservation authority development permit through the development of a new minister's regulation under the Conservation Authorities Act and amendments to the Mandatory Programs and Services Regulation (O. Reg. 686/21), also under that Act.
The legislative changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and the proposed regulatory changes which come into effect on April 1, 2024, update the regulation of development for the protection of people and property from natural hazards in Ontario. These changes are intended to support faster, more predictable, and less costly approvals by streamlining rules for development, providing clarity on the permit application processes, and further focusing conservation authority permitting on their core mandate related to natural hazards.
A decrease in the size of the regulated area (e.g., updated definitions of "water course" and updating the "other areas" where development is prohibited to 30 metres around all wetlands), streamlined approvals for low-impact development, scoping of permit conditions to natural hazards, increased certainty (e.g., requiring conservation authorities to request any studies or technical information prior to confirmation of complete application), increased permit validity time, and more transparent conservation authority service standards are all expected to reduce costs to individuals and developers, however, it was not possible to quantify these savings.
As a result of implementing the proposal, conservation authorities are expected to incur administrative costs, mainly stemming from implementing new service delivery standards associated with permitting, such as requirements to update mapping, develop and consult on permitting policy and procedures documents with respect to permit applications and reviews, and prepare an annual report on permitting statistics. These are estimated to be $1,571,300 for all 36 conservation authorities over ten years (2023-2032), or approximately $157,100 annually across all 36 conservation authorities.
The legislative changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and the proposed regulatory changes which come into effect on April 1, 2024, update the regulation of development for the protection of people and property from natural hazards in Ontario. These changes are intended to support faster, more predictable, and less costly approvals by streamlining rules for development, providing clarity on the permit application processes, and further focusing conservation authority permitting on their core mandate related to natural hazards.
A decrease in the size of the regulated area (e.g., updated definitions of "water course" and updating the "other areas" where development is prohibited to 30 metres around all wetlands), streamlined approvals for low-impact development, scoping of permit conditions to natural hazards, increased certainty (e.g., requiring conservation authorities to request any studies or technical information prior to confirmation of complete application), increased permit validity time, and more transparent conservation authority service standards are all expected to reduce costs to individuals and developers, however, it was not possible to quantify these savings.
As a result of implementing the proposal, conservation authorities are expected to incur administrative costs, mainly stemming from implementing new service delivery standards associated with permitting, such as requirements to update mapping, develop and consult on permitting policy and procedures documents with respect to permit applications and reviews, and prepare an annual report on permitting statistics. These are estimated to be $1,571,300 for all 36 conservation authorities over ten years (2023-2032), or approximately $157,100 annually across all 36 conservation authorities.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
22-MNRF011
Posting Date:
October 25, 2022
Summary of Proposal:
-
Contact Address:
Effective Date:
January 1, 2023
Decision:
Approved