My question is for the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Environmental assessments are critical to getting infrastructure projects built and repaired quickly while protecting our nature.

Unfortunately, the environmental assessment process was severely neglected under the previous Liberal government. Imagine: People would have to wait until a hydro pole fell down or broke to have it replaced due to excessive red tape. That’s unacceptable, Speaker. Our government must continue to eliminate this type of excessive red tape that was left behind by the Liberals and keep getting shovels in the ground faster to meet the needs of people across our great province.

Speaker, can the minister please share how this government is improving the environmental assessment process to save time and resources while securing environmental outcomes?

As our population continues to grow, we must ensure we have the transportation network and infrastructure needed to build a better Ontario. It is equally important to complete these projects in an environmentally responsible manner with communities’ interests in mind.

Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on how our government is protecting strong environmental oversight and making it faster to build in Ontario?