Should Farmers Get Faster Sewage Permits for Worker Housing?
Official title: Streamlining environmental permissions for sewage works servicing on-farm worker housing(source: Environmental Registry)
Ontario wants to speed up how farmers get permits for sewage systems at worker housing on their farms. Right now, these permits can take a long time. The proposal would let farmers register certain systems through an online registry instead of going through the full approval process.
Why This Matters
Work on a farm or know someone who does? This affects where seasonal workers live. Faster permits mean farmers can build housing sooner. That could help address worker shortages during harvest season.
What Could Change
Certain sewage systems on farms would only need registration instead of full ministry approval. Farmers would save time and money on paperwork. Environmental protections would still apply, but through a streamlined process.
Key Issues
- Should certain farm sewage systems be allowed to register online instead of getting full ministry approval?
- How can environmental protections be maintained while speeding up the permit process?
How to Participate
- This consultation has closed. The comment period ended December 7, 2025. For the full proposal details, see ERO posting 025-0872.