Environmental Compliance Approval application or amendment
Preparing and negotiating an Environmental Compliance Approval for air, noise, waste or sewage works.
Approval timelines are set by the regulator and can be long; the lawyer confirms the steps in writing before work starts. Ontario Done by an Ontario lawyer, by referral
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.
A typical Ontario fee for this service is $3,000–$12,000, plus HST. The lawyer quotes the actual fee before any work starts. 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