The Ontario government completed a Category B Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the site servicing upgrades and a separate Category C Class EA for the public realm design and other site preparation activities.
The EA for the site servicing upgrades was completed in July 2022 and included a Consultation and Documentation Report.
The Category C Class EA for the design of the public realm was completed in November 2023. The Final Environmental Study Report is available here. For details on the engagement process for the EA, please click here.
For further information on applicability of the EA, please refer to the FAQ section.
What is an Environmental Assessment?
EAs are the framework that government uses to collect, consolidate, and consider information about projects to ensure that environmental impacts are identified and addressed. Based on this information, the most appropriate alternative solution(s) are selected before the project commences. EAs help us see the relationship between a project and its environment in a holistic and informed manner. Environment is broadly defined to include the natural (air, land, water, plant and animal life), socio-economic, cultural and built environments. The EA process also requires consultation with the public, Indigenous communities, and government agencies.
Class EAs are approved, streamlined approaches that may be used to meet EA obligations that apply to common classes or groups of activities.
To learn more about the EA process, visit ontario.ca.
How does an Environmental Assessment apply to this project?
The Public Work Class EA focuses on realty and infrastructure projects and describes a variety of projects in each of three groups or categories (A, B, and C).
Streamlined procedures for these categories of projects vary from requiring no assessment or documentation for Category A projects (exempt), to rigorous evaluation of environmental effects and a detailed Environmental Study Report (ESR) for Category C projects. Public consultation is an essential element when planning Category B and C projects.
For the Ontario Place redevelopment, it has been determined that:
- Redevelopment activities, including site preparations, were considered under the Category C process. This process included a review and evaluation of design concepts for the site (known as alternatives in the legislation) and mandatory public engagement at key milestones. The final outcome of this process was the selection of a preferred design, supported by an ESR that captures, in full transparency, documentation of the evaluation process, engagement and consultation activities, how concepts were considered, and mitigation and monitoring measures.
- More information about redevelopment activities can be found here.
- The Category C ESR for redevelopment activities was completed in November 2023. The ESR is available as a reference document in the Document Library.
- Site Servicing activities that are needed at Ontario Place are consistent with the Category B process. A screening-style assessment with targeted consultations is used to assess Category B projects.
- More information about site servicing upgrades can be found here.
- The Category B EA for site servicing was completed in July 2022. The Consultation and Documentation Report summarizes the project and the EA process. This report is available as a reference document in the Document Library.
- Maintenance and repair activities are consistent with the Category A process. These activities are exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act and do not require further assessment under the Public Work Class EA process.
Current Status of the Environmental Assessment
The Category C Class EA for design of the public realm and other site preparation activities was completed in November 2023.
The Category C ESR for redevelopment activities was completed in November 2023. The ESR is available as a reference document in the Document Library.
The Category B EA for site servicing was completed in July 2022. The Consultation and Documentation Report summarizes the project and the EA process. This report is available as a reference document in the Document Library.
Click here for the recommended public realm design presented at the April 2023 public event, following the EA evaluation process.
