Shannon McNeill

This presentation will offer a comparative analysis of legislative and regulatory approaches to environmental assessment (EA) and permitting integration in Ontario and British Columbia, with a focus on recent developments affecting infrastructure and energy projects. In Ontario, evolving policy directions aim to streamline approval processes, reduce administrative duplication, and accelerate project timelines. Meanwhile, British Columbia continues to refine its “one-window” regulatory model, which seeks to harmonize EA and permitting while maintaining environmental safeguards. This presentation will examine whether a balanced approach to environmental assessment and permitting integration is achievable in Ontario and British Columbia. It will explore how legislative changes, institutional coordination, and procedural reforms can influence the ability to support timely infrastructure development while safeguarding ecological and social values. By analyzing the integration of environmental assessment and permitting in Ontario and BC, the session will aim to identify best practices and cautionary lessons for policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders navigating the complex intersection of development and environmental protection.

Session Facilitator: Faiza Waheed