In principle, OWMA supports the Ontario government’s proposed approach to allow some projects to follow a streamlined approval process with only designated projects subject to comprehensive environmental assessments. The proposed regulation requires a comprehensive EA when changing a landfill to increase the total waste disposal volume by more than 375,000 cubic metres. OWMA has recommended an amendment that would specify a threshold of an increase the total waste disposal volume by more than 375,000 cubic metres, or 25% if the change would increase the total waste disposal volume by more than 375,000 cubic metres.
Applying a 25% volume increase threshold for volume increases above 375,000 cubic metres is more reasonable and would allow more of Ontario’s larger public and private landfill sites (that currently manage about 70% of Ontario’s waste disposal) to follow a streamlined process for adding necessary waste capacity and aid in Ontario’s economic recovery.