An environmental assessment identifies environmental effects, ways to mitigate negative effects and determines whether a project will have significant negative effects. There are two pieces of legislation that implement environmental assessments in Ontario.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) requires federal decision makers to consider the environmental effects of proposed projects before taking any action that would allow a project to be carried out, in whole or in part. The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) is a similar provincial act that has associated regulations to ensure that environmental problems and opportunities are considered and that their effects are planned for before development or building takes place.

In 1975, Ontario passed the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). This was the first Canadian legislation related to Environmental Assessments. Prior to the adoption of this legislation there was no consideration of the environmental effects of a project when the province granted its approval. The EAA typically only applies to the public sector (provincial agencies and municipalities). Private development is not subject to this legislation unless it is designated by an Act of Parliament.

In 1993, the environmental assessment (EA) process was amended to include Class Environmental Assessments. Private proponents that require permits from provincial agencies are required to complete a Class EA. In regards to this project, the Ambassador Niagara Signature Bridge (Ambassador Niagara) Group will require a connection with the Queen Elizabeth Way (Q.E.W.) to provide access to its international bridge and accompanying roadway and, therefore, a permit from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

At the federal level, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) was adopted in 1992 to regulate the EA process. There are a number of triggers that make a project subject to the CEAA, including use of federal money or granting of a federal permit. If a project is subject to both the EAA and the CEAA, the federal and provincial governments can work together on a coordinated EA process that will satisfy the requirements of both.

The following issues must be covered in the EA:

• Purpose of the undertaking;
• Rationale for the undertaking;
• Alternatives to the undertaking.
• Alternative methods of carrying out an undertaking;
• Environmental effects of the undertaking and alternatives;
• Mitigation measures; and
• Evaluation of alternatives.

Ambassador Niagara is currently in the process of undertaking an environmental assessment in Canada. If you would like to learn more about environmental assessment in Canada please visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) website at: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/010/basics_e.htm.