ontario regulation 65/26

made under the

Environmental Protection Act

Made: March 26, 2026
Filed: March 27, 2026
Published on e-Laws: March 30, 2026
Published in The Ontario Gazette: April 11, 2026

Amending O. Reg. 153/04

(RECORDS OF SITE CONDITION - PART XV.1 OF THE ACT)

1. (1) Paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of the definition of “area of natural significance” in subsection 1 (1) of Ontario Regulation 153/04 are revoked and the following substituted:

2. A significant area of natural and scientific interest within the meaning of the Provincial Policy Statement issued under subsection 3 (1) of the Planning Act.

3. A significant wetland within the meaning of the Provincial Policy Statement issued under subsection 3 (1) of the Planning Act.

(2) Paragraph 7 of the definition of “area of natural significance” in subsection 1 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “classified under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 as a threatened or endangered species” at the end and substituting “classified by COSSARO as endangered or threatened”.

(3) Subsection 1 (1) of the Regulation is amended by adding the following definition:

“COSSARO” has the same meaning as in subsection 2 (1) of the Species Conservation Act, 2025; (“CDSEPO”)

2. Subparagraph 7 x of subsection 3 (2) of Schedule D to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

x. records of areas of natural significance maintained by the Ministry of Natural Resources or any municipal planning authority established under the Planning Act, and

Commencement

3. This Regulation comes into force on the later of the day section 1 of Schedule 10 (Species Conservation Act, 2025) to the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 comes into force and the day this Regulation is filed.