Budget bill threatens federal environmental assessment process

A University of Ottawa – Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic group analyzing Navigable Water Protection Act amendments included in the budget bill conclude that they will allow “unfettered discretion” by the federal transport minister to exempt projects or waterways from environmental oversight; see Critics fear budget bill will lead to loss of waterways, Ottawa Citizen Feb 12, 2009.

Transport Minister John Baird claims the amendments were included “…because they are intended to remove an antiquated regulatory burden from developers and governments for “shovel ready” projects to stimulate the economy.” Surely projects cannot be claimed as “shovel ready” unless environmental assessments are completed?

Thinking beyond this, one ponders projects, such as the proposed Ottawa River bridge crossing (Kettle Island or elsewhere) or the proposed bridge across the Rideau River that is needed for later stages of the Alta Vista Transportation Corridor, proceeding without federal environmental assessments. Since when is the need for an environmental assessment “antiquated?” As Will Amos, staff lawyer for the clinic notes, “You’re not going to fix the economy by wrecking the environment.”