Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Infrastructure Projects
Project information about this class environmental assessment.
2024 update
We amended the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment on February 22, 2024, to align with the project list approach for projects that will require a comprehensive environmental assessment.
Project summary
This class environmental assessment establishes a planning process for a variety of municipal infrastructure projects.
Proponent
Municipal Engineers Association, on behalf of Ontario municipalities
Location
Ontario
Type
Other
Reference number
9899
Contact
Stephen Deneault, Environmental Assessment Branch
Email: stephen.deneault@ontario.ca
Project history
Class environmental assessment—major amendment (2024): approved
Expiry of public comment period: May 9, 2023
Amendment date: February 22, 2024
Class environmental assessment—major amendment (2023): approved
Date submitted: September 30, 2019
Expiry of public commend period: August 22, 2020
Decision date: March 3, 2023
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2015): approved
Date submitted: December 2, 2014
Expiry of public comment period: January 23, 2015
Decision date: October 7, 2015
Class environmental assessment—five-year review (2012): submitted
Date submitted: October 4, 2012
Expiry of public comment period: December 7, 2012
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2011): approved
Expiry of public comment period: February 25, 2011
Decision date: August 17, 2011
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2007): approved
Expiry of public comment period: August 1, 2007
Decision date: September 6, 2007
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2004): approved
Expiry of public comment period: November 15, 2004
Decision date: December 2004
Class environmental assessment (2000): approved
Date submitted: December 23, 1998
Expiry of public comment period on Ministry Review: September 13, 1999
Decision date: October 4, 2000
Terms of reference (1998): approved
Date submitted: February 26, 1998
Expiry of public comment period: April 15, 1998
Decision date: August 26, 1998
Class environmental assessment—major amendment (2024)
Ontario is modernizing its environmental assessment program to better serve communities now and in the future.
As part of this work, we amended the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment to clarify that this class environmental assessment does not apply to municipal expressway projects.
These projects (and projects establishing new freeways) are now subject to the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways. They no longer require an individual environmental assessment.
These and other amendments align the Class EA with:
- amendments to the Environmental Assessment Act
- new regulations made to move to a project list approach for projects that will require a comprehensive environmental assessment.
Class EAs continue to provide a framework for consultation, identification of potential impacts and mitigation measures.
Class environmental assessment—major amendment (2023)
We are making sensible, practical changes that would provide environmental oversight while reducing delays to get shovels in the ground on projects that matter most to Ontario communities.
As part of modernizing the environmental assessment program, we are making changes to the class environmental assessment process to ensure strong oversight while reducing delays on infrastructure projects that matter most to Ontario communities.
These changes include; conditionally exempting certain low-risk, routine municipal road, water and wastewater projects from requiring an environmental assessment to better align assessment requirements with potential environmental impact. These exemptions will reduce duplication and streamline the process for municipal projects, while maintaining strong environmental oversight and protection.
Changes were also made to incorporate the amendments that were made to the Environmental Assessment Act in 2019 and 2020 to correct errors, update references and names, and to improve the clarity of the document. The ministry also modified some of amendments that were originally proposed by the Municipal Engineers Association in response to concerns from the public, municipalities, agencies, and Indigenous communities.
2023 amendments to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment
These amendments consider the feedback we heard from Indigenous communities, proponents, stakeholders and other agencies. The changes include:
- changing the environmental assessment requirements for some projects to better align requirements with the potential environmental impacts of the project and reduce any duplication and improve clarity and consistency, including:
- making some projects eligible for exemption based on the results of an archaeological screening process, which is described below
- exempting projects that are needed because of an emergency
- updating cost thresholds, consistent with provisions in the existing Municipal Class Environmental Assessment and the Environmental Assessment Act
- exempting some transit projects that are already exempt through O. Reg. 231/08 (Transit Projects and Metrolinx Undertakings) to ensure consistency
- improving the clarity of the list of projects by reorganizing the projects under subheadings and clarifying some project descriptions
- modernizing consultation requirements by allowing municipalities to develop their own custom notification procedures without a notification by-law
- updating the class environmental assessment to address the amendments made to the Environmental Assessment Act in 2019 and 2020 and updating references to outdated legislation, policies and programs, correct errors and improve the clarity of the document
Archaeological screening process
Based on input from Indigenous communities and the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (formerly the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport), we incorporated a new archaeological screening process that proponents will have to complete to determine whether a low-risk project is exempt. This will ensure that archaeological resources are considered before a project proceeds. Please see Appendix A of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for more information on the new archaeological screening process.
Learn more on the Environmental Registry.
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2015)
The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the amendments the Municipal Engineers Association proposed to the Municipal Class EA regarding changes to cycling and trail provisions in the Municipal Class EA, as well as administrative clarifications to:
- the Part II Order provisions
- amending procedures
- source protection guidance
- sample notices in the appendices
The amendment proceeded as a major amendment under the provisions of the Municipal Class EA.
Class environmental assessment—five-year review (2012)
The Municipal Engineers Association is required to carry out a review of its class environmental assessment every five years. The purpose of this review is to ensure that the class EA:
- remains consistent with legislative requirements and planning practices
- continues to satisfy the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act
The five-year review is also an opportunity to consider any issues or concerns that were raised about the application of the Municipal Class EA. Comments received during a five-year review were considered before any subsequent amendments to the class EA were initiated.
The Municipal Engineers Association completed a five year review of the Municipal Class EA and submitted the results of the review to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on October 4, 2012. The five-year review report was made available on the Municipal Engineers Association's website for review and comment from November 2, 2012 to December 21, 2012.
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2011)
For summary information, please refer to EBR registry number 011-1391.
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2007)
The Municipal Class EA was amended to include municipal transit projects in the approved class of undertakings, update the text, and the projects and their classification.
The Municipal Engineers Association followed a Schedule C planning process to assess the environmental effects of including transit projects in the approved class of undertakings. They documented their findings in an Environmental Study Report. The other amendments included:
- revising the dollar threshold for road projects to address changes in inflation
- adding a new schedule for projects called Schedule A+
- updating the Municipal Class EA to reflect changes in legislation that has occurred since 2000
The amendments to the Municipal Class EA were approved on September 6, 2007.
Class environmental assessment—amendment (2004)
Amendments were approved to the Municipal Class EA to revise the definition of linear paved facilities. The amendment allowed municipalities to plan a municipal roadway to be used exclusively for bus lanes or transit lanes. The amendment proceeded as a minor amendment under the provisions of the Municipal Class EA (October 2000).
Class environmental assessment (2000)
The Lieutenant Governor in Council approved the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment on October 4, 2000 under Order in Council 1923/2000.
Terms of reference
The Municipal Infrastructure Projects Class EA terms of reference was approved on August 26, 1998.