Queen's Park to overhaul environment assessment regulations.

The Ford government intends to revamp provincial environmental assessment (EA) regulations that have largely been untouched for more than 50 years.

The province has posted a discussion paper online as part of its review, designed to expedite the EA process and exempt projects considered low risk.

An April 25 news release said the focus will be on "projects that pose actual, real risk to our environment and communities" with a process that reduces delays and duplication with other planning measures.

"We are proposing sensible, pragmatic solutions to modernize Ontario's environmental assessment process," Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Rod Phillips in a statement.

Projects deemed low risk--such as snowplowing, constructing roadside parks and adding bike lanes--will be exempt from having to undergo an EA process.

"Low-risk projects that have positive impacts in our communities shouldn't be held up by lengthy approvals," said Phillips.

Since the passage of the provincial Environmental Assessment Act in 1975, the government said the legislation has remained largely un changed, except for amendments in...