At the planning stage, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) reviews federal and provincial infrastructure projects through relevant environmental assessment (EA) and Planning Act application stages.
Federal Infrastructure Projects
include all projects which fall under the federal Impact Assessment Act. Such projects may or may not be owned or managed by the federal government.
Provincial Infrastructure Projects
include those owned or managed by the Province, such as:
- Transportation and transit systems, including stormwater management facilities
- Emergency management services facilities (e.g., police stations)
- Trails and active use projects
- Publicly owned museums, galleries, and public art
- Public healthcare centres and hospitals
- Parks, community centres, cultural facilities, and recreation centres
- Stormwater management infrastructure related to water, wastewater, and roads projects
Information related to the review of infrastructure for a private health care centres can be found at: Learn More About: Institutional, Private, and Partially Private Infrastructure Project Review.
TRCA Review Services
Planning Act and Environmental Assessment Review
TRCA reviews environmental assessment (EA) and Planning Act applications.
EA applications are submitted to TRCA directly by the proponent through the TRCA Application Portal.
Planning Act applications are submitted by the proponent to the municipality, which in turn circulates to TRCA.
TRCA Project Compliance Review (TPCR)
At the detailed design stage, federal and provincial projects are exempt from the TRCA regulatory process. While permits are not required, TRCA encourages federal and provincial proponents to follow the TRCA Project Compliance Review (TPCR) process.
Proponents subject to the federal EA process that are not the federal or provincial government themselves may not be exempt from TRCA regulations. Project-specific consultation is recommended.
Regulatory Exemptions
Federal undertakings are exempt from the regulatory approval process under the Conservation Authorities Act, including:
- Railways (Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways)
- Greater Toronto Airports Authority
- Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems (telecommunication)
- Ports Toronto (Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Port of Toronto, and Outer Harbour Marina)
- Parks Canada (Rouge National Urban Park)
Provincial project exemptions include:
- Metrolinx
- GO Transit
- Ministry of Transportation, including Highways 400, 401, 404, 407, 412, and 413
- Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation
- Ministry of Natural Resources
When a Permit is Required
Projects being built on federal and provincially owned lands that are not projects of the federal or provincial government may require a TRCA permit or TRCA Project Compliance Review (TPCR).
Project-specific consultation through either a pre-application consultation meeting or a concept review application is recommended.
TRCA recommends submitting all inquiries related to telecommunication tower projects directly through the TRCA Application Portal.
Need More Information?
- Learn More About:
- Infrastructure Planning and Permits
- Who is Responsible for Infrastructure Project Review at TRCA
- Municipal Infrastructure Project Review
- Oil, Gas and Utility Infrastructure Project Review at TRCA
- Regulation, Permits, and Planning Act Review: Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t See Your Project Here?
Please view Quick Links for Infrastructure Proponents and Consultants or Quick Links for Homeowners, Landowners and Developers.
If you have any questions about the Infrastructure Planning and Permitting review services, please email infrastructureplanningpermits@trca.ca. Please allow up to two (2) business days for a response.
For additional information, see our Quick Links for Infrastructure Proponents and Consultants.