Closed
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Federal)
Canada wants to strengthen intellectual property rules for plant breeders. Right now, farmers can save and replant seeds from protected varieties—the government wants to limit this for fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The changes would...
Why This Matters: Grow your own tomatoes from saved seeds? This could affect what you're allowed to do. Farmers who save seeds from protected varieties might face new restrictions. On the flip side, stronger protections could bring more new crop varieties to Canada—think drought-resistant vegetables or...
Regulations & Permits
Agriculture & Food
Economy & Jobs
Planned
Canada Border Services Agency (Federal)
The Canada Border Services Agency is reviewing its penalty system for businesses that break import and export rules. Right now, companies can be fined for things like not paying duties, failing to report goods, or making incorrect declarations. The...
Why This Matters: Run a business that imports or exports goods? This review could change how much you pay if something goes wrong with your shipments. Even if you use a customs broker, you're still on the hook for penalties. The rules affect everyone from small retailers importing products to large manufacturers...
Regulations & Permits
Economy & Jobs
Finance & Consumer
Closed
Ministry of Natural Resources (ON)
Ontario wants to update the technical guides that govern how renewable energy projects assess their impact on natural areas. The changes would align with proposed updates to the Renewable Energy Approvals regulation. This could make it faster to get...
Why This Matters: Support clean energy? This affects how quickly new wind and solar farms can be built in Ontario. Live near a proposed project? The rules for assessing wildlife and habitat impacts could change. Faster approvals might mean more green energy—but some worry about weaker environmental protections.
Regulations & Permits
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Impala Canada Ltd. is asking the Ontario Energy Board for permission to expropriate land interests for a transmission line. This is a formal regulatory proceeding where affected landowners can participate. An intervenor called North Star has already...
Why This Matters: Own land near a proposed transmission line? This case could affect your property rights. Expropriation means a company can take land interests even if you don't want to sell. If you're a landowner in the affected area, this proceeding determines whether that can happen.
Regulations & Permits
Justice & Rights
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Atikokan Hydro Inc. has applied to the Ontario Energy Board to set its electricity distribution rates for 2026. This is a routine annual rate adjustment under the Incentive Rate-Making (IRM) framework. The OEB will review the application and...
Why This Matters: Live in Atikokan? This decision directly affects your electricity bill. Rate changes approved here will show up on your monthly hydro statement starting in 2026.
Regulations & Permits
Finance & Consumer
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Hearst Power Distribution Company is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve its electricity rates for 2026. This is a routine annual rate adjustment under the Incentive Rate-setting Mechanism (IRM). The application includes proposed changes to...
Why This Matters: Live in Hearst or the surrounding area? This decision affects what you pay for electricity. The distribution charges on your bill could go up or down depending on what the OEB approves.
Regulations & Permits
Finance & Consumer
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Ontario Energy Board (ON)
Sioux Lookout Hydro Inc. is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve its electricity distribution rates for 2026. This is a routine annual rate adjustment under the Incentive Rate-setting Mechanism (IRM). The OEB will review the application and...
Why This Matters: Live in Sioux Lookout or the surrounding area? This decision affects your electricity bill. The rates Sioux Lookout Hydro charges for delivering power to your home could change based on this application.
Regulations & Permits
Finance & Consumer
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
A company wants to build a large gas-fired power plant near Sackville, New Brunswick. The 500-megawatt facility would use gas turbines to generate backup electricity and help stabilize the provincial grid as more renewable energy comes online. It...
Why This Matters: Live near Sackville or Centre Village? This power plant could affect local air quality and noise levels. It's also part of a bigger question: how should New Brunswick balance renewable energy with backup power from fossil fuels?
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Parks Canada (Federal)
A 2024 windstorm destroyed nearly 500 metres of floating boardwalk on one of Riding Mountain National Park's most popular trails. Parks Canada plans to rebuild with a new anchoring system and accessible boardwalk that blends into the marsh...
Why This Matters: Ever hiked the Ominnik Marsh Trail near Wasagaming? It's been closed since the storm damage. This rebuild will restore access to one of the park's signature experiences. The new design promises better accessibility and durability.
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Transportation
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
A company wants to build a major natural gas power plant in Alberta's Industrial Heartland, about 10 km east of Gibbons. The facility would have four gas/steam turbine units producing up to 1,864 megawatts—enough to power over a million homes. It's...
Why This Matters: Live near Gibbons or in Alberta's Industrial Heartland? This plant could affect local air quality and traffic during construction. For all Albertans, it could mean more reliable electricity—but also more greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come.
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Natural Resources
Closed
Transport Canada (Federal)
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport needs to build runway safety zones by 2027. It's a federal requirement. The project involves removing concrete and asphalt, excavating soil, and repaving areas at both ends of the main runway. Transport Canada is...
Why This Matters: Live near the Toronto waterfront or use the island airport? Construction could affect noise levels and local traffic. The safety zones are meant to protect passengers if a plane overshoots the runway. This is about balancing airport safety upgrades with environmental protection.
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Transportation
Closed
Parks Canada (Federal)
The Valley of the Five Lakes Trail in Jasper National Park was badly damaged by the 2024 wildfire and remains closed. Parks Canada wants to formalize an existing informal trail (350 m) and add a new 100 m section to create a loop. This would give...
Why This Matters: Love hiking in Jasper? This popular trail has been closed since the 2024 wildfire. The new loop would reopen access to the Five Lakes area sooner. If you've used the informal trail before, this makes it official.
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Transportation
Closed
National Capital Commission (Federal)
The National Capital Commission wants to turn an informal dirt path into an official paved pathway in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau. The 100-metre connection would link the Voyageurs Pathway to the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. About 5 trees would be...
Why This Matters: Use this path to bike or walk between Gatineau and Ottawa? Right now it's an unofficial dirt trail. Making it official means better drainage, signage, and year-round access. A notable White Oak tree will be protected during construction.
Community Planning
Environment & Climate
Transportation
Closed
Waterloo Region, ON
Cambridge is rebuilding about 1 km of roads including Cooper Street, Queen Street East, and Chapel Street. The project includes new storm sewers, watermains, and underground infrastructure. A multi-use trail will also be added as part of the city's...
Why This Matters: Live on or near Cooper Street, Queen Street East, or Chapel Street? This construction will affect your daily commute and street access. The new multi-use trail could make cycling and walking safer in the area.
Community Planning
Housing & Communities
Transportation
Closed
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (ON)
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...
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.
Regulations & Permits
Agriculture & Food
Environment & Climate
Closed
Ministry of Children (ON)
Ontario wants to update rules for developmental services agencies. Right now, only doctors can approve certain behaviour support plans that include medication or intrusive interventions. This change would let nurse practitioners do it too—which...
Why This Matters: Have a family member with a developmental disability? Getting the right care plan approved can take months when doctors are scarce. This change could speed things up, especially in northern Ontario. It also updates who counts as a qualified behaviour analyst.
Regulations & Permits
Health & Safety