EJQ7 - Winter 2026 - Journal - Page 25
RECENT AMENDMENTS mark a major step in Ontario’s continuing
modernization of environmental regulation for development and
infrastructure. The changes reûect a government policy direction focused
on encouraging the beneûcial reuse of excess soil and aggregate to
conserve landûll capacity, reducing administrative barriers to brownûeld
and infrastructure development, and maintaining strong environmental
safeguards through updated standards, qualiûed professional oversight,
and clearer guidance.
On October 23rd and 24th, 2005, the Ministry of the Environment,
Conservation and Parks (MECP) ûnalized signiûcant regulatory
amendments under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) to advance
Ontario’s goals of streamlining environmental approvals, enabling more
cost-efective construction and redevelopment, and encouraging greater
beneûcial reuse of excess soil.
STAKEHOLDERS SHOWED BROAD SUPPORT
FOR THE RESTRICTION, GENERALLY REACTING
THAT IT IS LOW-RISK AND WILL HELP
ACHIEVE HOUSING TARGETS AND OTHER
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES.
These changes amend two key regulations: Ontario Regulation 153/04:
Records of Site Condition (RSC) Regulation and Ontario Regulation 406/19:
On-Site and Excess Soil Management (Excess Soil Regulation). Together,
these reforms form part of the province9s broader efort to reduce
regulatory burdens and accelerate the development of housing, highways,
E NV I RONM E NT J OURNAL QUART E RLY RE PORT • W I NTE R 2 02 6 • P AGE 2 5
