Integrating public commentary and participation into environmental decision-making: The implications of Ontario`s Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993
In February 1994, the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 (EBR) was proclaimed into law by the Ontario government. The EBR is intended to promote a new era in environmental decision-making one characterized by enhanced public participation, citizen empowerment and greater accountability of decision makers. A key challenge in the implementation of the EBR is the change it will force in government decision-making. Historically, Ontario environmental regulation focused on the development of appropriate pollution control instruments, techniques and standards to control harmful environmental activity. Often the knowledge of outsiders, (i.e. the public), was considered inadequate or irrelevant to the regulatory process. In contrast, the EBR recognizes the relevance and validity of public knowledge, and is intended to encourage decision-makers to mesh public and scientific knowledge through a new regulatory approval system based on notice of new developments, approvals and laws on a province-wide electronic bulletin board service. The positive potential of the EBR is in its ability to promote social understanding of the issues and risks in environmental management. The EBR mandates open dialogue and proactive interaction between government, industry, environmental groups, citizen groups, and employees to explore new mechanisms in environmental decision making. In addition, the EBR seeks to enlist the cooperation of all sectors of society in addressing the complex issues posed by the environment so that not only problem solving but problem identification and prevention activities are conducted in the context of greater shared responsibility and accountability.
- OSTI ID:
- 212023
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9617%%339
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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