Closed
Department of Environment and Climate Change (NS)
Northern Pulp wants to upgrade its pulp mill at Abercrombie Point and build a new wastewater treatment facility. The treated effluent would be discharged into Pictou Harbour. The company submitted its project for environmental assessment in late...
Why This Matters: Live near Pictou Harbour or fish in its waters? This project would discharge treated pulp mill wastewater into the estuary. The mill has been controversial for decades due to pollution concerns. This assessment will determine whether the upgraded facility meets environmental standards.
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Enbridge Gas is seeking Ontario Energy Board approval to build new gas infrastructure for the Humber Station Community Expansion Project. This is a Leave to Construct application, meaning the company needs regulatory permission before construction...
Why This Matters: Live in the Humber Station area? This project could bring natural gas service to your community. First Nations in the region have been consulted, and their input will shape the final decision. If you're a potential customer or nearby resident, this affects your energy options.
Regulations & Permits
Indigenous & Northern
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Hydro One wants to expropriate land in northwestern Ontario for the Waasigan transmission line project. The Ontario Energy Board is reviewing whether the company can take private property for power line construction. This is Phase 1 of a larger...
Why This Matters: Own property in northwestern Ontario near Thunder Bay? This could affect you directly. Hydro One is seeking the right to take land for power lines. Even if your property isn't targeted, expropriation cases set precedents for how utilities can acquire land across the province.
Regulations & Permits
Indigenous & Northern
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Hydro One wants to keep operating transmission lines that cross private property in Port Colborne. The catch? They're asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve expropriation of land from Nyon Oil Inc. This is a formal regulatory proceeding where...
Why This Matters: Own property near power lines? This case could set precedent for how utilities acquire land rights. The property owner has raised constitutional questions about the expropriation process. If you're in Port Colborne or own land crossed by transmission infrastructure, this decision matters.
Regulations & Permits
Justice & Rights
Natural Resources
Closed
Government of Alberta (AB)
Alberta is creating a standard for trapping cabins and structures on public land. Right now, trappers need individual approvals for each structure they build. The new rules would set a maximum footprint size and streamline the registration process...
Why This Matters: This mainly affects Alberta's licensed trappers who build structures on their registered traplines. If you trap commercially on public land, this could simplify your paperwork. For most Albertans, the impact is minimal—but trappers play a role in wildlife management across the province.
Regulations & Permits
Agriculture & Food
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (ON)
A natural gas power plant near Courtright, Ontario wants to renew its air emissions permit and add new equipment. The facility releases nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants from its turbines and generators. They're also adding an...
Why This Matters: Live near Courtright or St. Clair Township? This power plant's emissions could affect your local air quality. The facility releases nitrogen oxides and particulate matter—pollutants linked to respiratory issues. If you're concerned about industrial emissions in your community, this is your chance...
Regulations & Permits
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (AB)
In 2016, Alberta asked for feedback on proposed changes to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act. The government wanted to know if industries, municipalities, and Indigenous communities supported updates to fire prevention regulations. An online...
Why This Matters: Live in rural Alberta? Work in forestry, oil and gas, or utilities? These rules affect how fires are prevented and managed on your land. Indigenous communities and municipalities also had a stake in how fire protection responsibilities are shared.
Legislation
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (AB)
Alberta developed an updated recovery plan for the ferruginous hawk, a species at risk. The plan focuses on protecting nest sites, maintaining grasslands, and reducing human-caused deaths. A public survey gathered feedback in early 2019, and the...
Why This Matters: Live in southern Alberta's grasslands? This hawk is part of your local ecosystem. Ranchers and farmers play a key role in the recovery—the plan asks them to maintain pastures and avoid disturbing nests. If you care about prairie wildlife, this affects your backyard.
Policy & Studies
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (AB)
Alberta expanded its decontamination rules to cover industrial and construction operations working in or near water. The goal? Stop whirling disease and other aquatic invasive species from spreading between watersheds. Companies would need to follow...
Why This Matters: If you fish Alberta's rivers, this matters. Whirling disease kills trout and has already spread to multiple watersheds. These rules aim to stop construction equipment from carrying the parasite to new waters. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts have a stake in keeping Alberta's fisheries healthy.
Regulations & Permits
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (AB)
This consultation gathered input on how to balance water use in the Wapiti River basin. Communities worried that winter water withdrawals were hurting fish and aquatic life. The final plan now guides water licensing decisions in the region.
Why This Matters: If you live in the Grande Prairie area or rely on the Wapiti River, this plan affects your water supply. Farmers, industries, and municipalities all draw from this river. The plan sets limits to protect fish during low-flow winter months.
Community Planning
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (AB)
Alberta asked for public input on how to protect the western grebe, a threatened waterbird. The consultation ran from December 2018 to January 2019 and received 24 responses. The recovery plan focuses on protecting shoreline habitat on Alberta's...
Why This Matters: Western grebes are an indicator of lake health. If you live near or use Alberta's central and north-central lakes, protecting these birds means protecting the ecosystem you enjoy. Healthy shorelines benefit fishing, recreation, and water quality.
Policy & Studies
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (AB)
Alberta asked for public input on how to save two endangered pine species. Whitebark and limber pines are dying from a fungal disease called white pine blister rust and from mountain pine beetle infestations. The province developed a combined...
Why This Matters: These pines grow in Alberta's harshest mountain landscapes where few other trees survive. They provide food for grizzly bears and Clark's nutcrackers. If you hike or camp in Alberta's Rockies, you've likely seen them clinging to windswept ridges.
Policy & Studies
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Forestry and Parks (AB)
Alberta asked anglers about proposed changes to lake trout fishing rules in Cold Lake. The Lake Trout Working Group suggested new regulations including a possible bait ban. This consultation ran from January 19 to February 9, 2024 and is now closed.
Why This Matters: Fish Cold Lake? These rules affect what you can keep. The new slot size means you can only harvest lake trout between 65 and 70 cm. If you use live bait, a ban could change how you fish.
Regulations & Permits
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Natural Resources (ON)
Ontario wants to overhaul how it sets black bear population targets and hunting limits. The province is also proposing to ban hunting cubs and mother bears in fall (already banned in spring) and to crack down on bear bile possession. These changes...
Why This Matters: Hunt black bears or run a hunting outfitter? This directly affects your season. Live in bear country? Population management decisions shape how often you might encounter bears near your property. Even if you just care about wildlife conservation, this sets the rules for years to come.
Regulations & Permits
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Ministry of Energy and Mines (ON)
Ontario ran a 3-year pilot letting large electricity users pay lower rates if they agreed to cut power use during grid emergencies. Now the government wants to know if this should become permanent. The program targets factories and industrial...
Why This Matters: Work at a factory or large industrial facility? This program could affect your employer's electricity costs and operations. When the grid is stressed, participating businesses might need to scale back production on short notice. Lower industrial electricity costs could also help keep manufacturing...
Regulations & Permits
Economy & Jobs
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Enbridge Gas is asking the Ontario Energy Board for permission to build new gas infrastructure in Blandford-Blenheim Township. This is a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) application, which means they want to expand their...
Why This Matters: Live in Blandford-Blenheim? This could bring natural gas service to your area. That means a new heating option for homes and businesses. Property owners may face construction near their land.
Regulations & Permits
Housing & Communities
Natural Resources