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MEA Update on the Municipal Class Environment Assessment (MCEA) and the Municipal Project Assessment Process (MPAP)

December 7, 2024

MCEA and MPAP:

The Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks (MECP) have been discussing environmental assessment (EA) reform since 2016, with the intention of ultimately streamlining the MEA’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA).

MECP approved an amendment to the MCEA process in March of 2023. The 2023 amendment was a major re-write of Part A and Appendix 1 of the MCEA, but it did not address a number of important issues to reform the EA process.  MEA published its MCEA User Guide (September 2023) to assist practitioners with interpretation, tips and advice on using the amended MCEA. 

In February 2024, the MECP proposed a plan to revoke the MCEA and the Private Sector Developers Regulation (O Reg 345/93) and enact a Municipal Project Assessment Process (MPAP) regulation.   The proposed MPAP regulation would only apply to a limited number of higher risk projects.  The MECP also issued a minor revision to the MCEA amendment  in February 2024.  A black line version that highlights the changes is available at:

https://municipalclassea.ca/files/Clarifications/Municipal%20Class%20EA_blackline_Feb2024.pdf

In June of 2024, MEA prepared an amendment update status of the MCEA process and the MCEA User Guide. To view it,  CLICK HERE!

Until such time that the MECP revokes the MCEA and replaces it with the MPAP regulation, the February 2024 MCEA version remains in effect. 

Since the MECP proposed to revoke the MCEA, the MEA deferred updating its MCEA User Guide (September 2023) until a firm implementation timeline on the new MPAP regulation is provided to MEA.  At this time, the MEA has not been provided a timeline on the implementation of the MPAP, and with a provincial election potentially looming in 2025, it could be some time before the MPAP is implemented. 

If and when the MECP proceeds with the MPAP regulation, municipalities will need a replacement process to move projects from identification to approval of conceptual design.  MEA intends to develop a new User Guide to assist practitioners with the new MPAP regulation.

MEA Working Group – MPAP Regulation:

In anticipation of the proposed MPAP regulation, In June 2024, the MEA formed a working group that included representatives from the municipal and consulting sectors.  The purpose of the working group was to commence discussions on developing a municipal standard or best practice document for municipalities that practitioners could use as a template when undertaking municipal infrastructure projects that are currently addressed under the MCEA but would not be covered by the new MPAP.  

The working group believes that a municipal standard/best practice document would strike a balance between offering streamlining opportunities and maintaining environmental controls and;

  • be similar to the MCEA and include an inventory of the environment, evaluation of alternatives and consultation with stakeholders;
  • ensure there will be no duplication of work completed as part of a Planning Act application or Master Planning process,
  • be streamlined with MECP’s involvement restricted to MPAP and TPAP projects.

Further Improving the MCEA Process/Training:

MEA should re-focus efforts to further improve the existing MCEA process, particularly improvements that can be implemented by training and use of best practices.   For example;   

  • Response times from commenting agencies
  • Role of Regional EA Coordinators
  • Eliminate duplication with Planning Act (and other) requirements
  • Including Indigenous communities in the MCEA process
  • The number, depth, and breadth of supporting studies
  • Consultation and documentation should match the complexity of project.
  • Recognize technical approvals.
  • Section 16 Order Requests
  • Cost thresholds for road projects (current values are based on 2022/23)

The MEA had suspended its Introduction to MCEA course webinar back in the spring of 2024, as the MEA was under the impression the implementation of the MPAP regulation could be imminent.

The MEA plans to re-introduce this webinar in the spring of 2025, with a focus on the above improvements.  Please check the MEA website over the winter for updates about this. 

What do municipalities do with its EA projects in the Interim?

  1. If your municipality is moving forward with a project that requires environmental assessment approval, you will need to follow the current MCEA process.
  1. The MEA’s MCEA User Guide (September 2023) is available for purchase at:

https://municipalclassea.ca/access/login.html?redirect=%2Fmanual-purchase.html