Environmental assessment (provincial or federal)
Advice on environmental assessment steps, consultation and approvals for a major public or private project.
What is included
- Explains which approvals, permits or assessments your project needs
- Prepares or reviews the application with your consultants
- Handles comments from the Ministry, agencies and the public
- Advises on conditions and amendments
- Appeals refusals or conditions where an appeal is available
What is not included
- Environmental consultants, testing and engineering reports
- Government application and filing fees and other disbursements
- Appeals, or other proceedings not covered by the lawyer's written retainer
Who this service is for
- Industrial and commercial operators
- Developers, aggregate operators and mining companies
- Utilities and energy businesses
Information to have ready
- 1A project description and site plans
- 2Consultant studies and technical reports
- 3Existing approvals
- 4Correspondence with regulators
How a referral works
- 1Tell us in a few words what the matter is about, and who else is involved, so we can check for a conflict of interest.
- 2We recommend an Ontario lawyer for your matter, and at least one other you could choose instead.
- 3The lawyer runs their own conflict check, confirms the scope and quotes the fee, normally in a written retainer agreement.
- 4You pay the lawyer's fee to the lawyer. Any referral fee comes out of it, is disclosed to you in writing, and never increases what you pay.
NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm, not a law firm. Every step of a referral, and your rights
Frequently asked questions
What does the lawyer charge?
Lawyers usually charge $450–$900/hr for this kind of work, by the hour. The lawyer quotes the actual rate and an estimate. You pay the lawyer directly; the referral itself costs you nothing.
Can work start while an application is under review?
Usually not for the activity being approved. Starting early can lead to orders or charges, so confirm with the lawyer first.
Do Indigenous communities need to be consulted?
For many projects the Crown has a duty to consult potentially affected Indigenous communities, and parts of that process are often delegated to the project proponent.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- No outcome can be guaranteed, including approval of any application
- Regulators set their own timelines, which the lawyer cannot control
- The lawyer confirms the scope, fee and steps in a written retainer before starting
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