Declaration order

Having received a request from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, with the support of the Ministry of the Attorney General, that an Undertaking, namely,

the acquisition of the lands identified in Appendix A attached hereto, demolition of all structures on the lands, maintenance and management of the lands, and disposition of the lands,

be declared not subject to the Environmental Assessment Act or its regulations (the Act) pursuant to clause 3.2(1)(a) of the Act;

Having been advised by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, with the support of the Ministry of the Attorney General, that if the Undertaking is subject to the application of the Act, the following injury, damage or interference with the persons and property indicated will occur:

  1. The delay required to fulfill the obligations of the Act would result in the structures on the lands being vacant from the time that the current owners vacate the lands, until the province assumes ownership of the lands and demolishes the structures. The vacant structures could be vandalized or illegally occupied or otherwise be subject to and the venue of other illegal activities, which would cause further nuisance to neighbouring owners and disruption to the well-being of the community.
  2. The ability of the Government to implement a resolution to litigation pertaining to the lands in a timely manner, and to reduce tensions in the community, will be adversely affected.

Having weighed such injury, damage, or interference against the betterment of the people of the whole or any part of Ontario by the protection, conservation and wise management in Ontario of the environment which would result from the Undertaking being subject to the application of the Act;

The undersigned is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to declare and declares pursuant to clause 3.2(1)(a) of the Act that the Undertaking is not subject to the application of the Act or its regulations for the following reasons:

  1. The Undertaking is unlikely to have environmental impacts on the existing and neighbouring properties.
  2. Tension in the community will be reduced, which could have socio-economic benefits for the current landowner, the local community, and Aboriginal groups.

This Declaration Order is subject to the following terms and conditions:

  1. The order shall apply to the lands identified in Appendix A.

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment

Approved by O.C. number: 37/2010
Approved: January 13, 2010
Environmental assessment file number: EA-04-01

Appendix A

445 Argyle Street, Caledonia, Ontario, more particularly described as Part of Lot C, West of Plank Road Range, Oneida, as in HC173896 (Firstly) and being Part 1 of Reference Plan 18R-2678.