Based on legislative requirements, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) provides support to other agencies.
Conservation Authorities have:
- A commenting role under the Planning Act and environmental assessment legislation, and
- A regulatory permitting role under the Conservation Authorities Act and the Building Code Act.
These roles are further defined below.
TRCA’s Role in
Municipal Planning Policy and By-law Review
TRCA provides input and technical support to municipalities in the review and update of their official plans, secondary plans, and zoning by-laws or other studies upon their request.
Through participation in committees, workshops, and studies, TRCA provides valuable information on flood and erosion control, stormwater management, and the conservation of features important for natural hazard management within its watersheds.
TRCA’s Role in the
Planning Act Approval Process
TRCA is a public commenting body under the Planning Act.
Following Ontario Regulation 686/21: Mandatory Programs and Services under the Conservation Authorities Act, TRCA reviews and comments on applications within TRCA Regulated Areas.
TRCA provides comments and recommendations to the municipalities that are consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement on natural hazards and conform to natural hazard policies in Provincial Plans.
Our comments assist municipalities in implementing official plan policies and zoning by-law provisions that restrict development activities on lands subject to flooding and erosion (e.g., river and stream valleys, Lake Ontario shoreline), and to protect and restore natural features important for the management of natural hazards (e.g., wetlands).
TRCA’s Role in the
Municipal Building Permit Approval Process
The Conservation Authorities Act and its regulations are “applicable law” under the Building Code Act, meaning that a TRCA permit, where applicable, is required prior to the municipality issuing a building permit.
Once TRCA has issued the permit, we recommend that applicants include a copy of the approved TRCA permit and drawings when submitting a municipal building permit application.
TRCA’s Role in the
Environmental Assessment Process
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada are responsible for the administration of the provincial and federal environmental assessment legislation, and for ensuring that proponents meet the requirements of the applicable act.
Other environmental assessment legislation and regulations also apply to oil and gas infrastructure and are managed under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act or Ontario Energy Board Act.
Conservation authorities are identified as a commenting body under federal and provincial environmental assessment legislation and regulations.
In this capacity, TRCA reviews and comments on all environmental assessments that occur within a Regulated Area.
Proponents of an environmental assessment are required to identify and consult with TRCA if the proposed project has the potential to affect an item related to TRCA’s areas of interest, including but not limited to issues related to natural hazards and regulated features, including valley and stream corridors, wetlands, and the Lake Ontario shoreline.