In Canada, residents of the Province of Ontario can initiate a review of the adequacy of environmental laws. The Environmental Bill of Rights Act provides that “Any two persons resident in Ontario who believe that an existing policy, Act, regulations or instrument of Ontario should be amended, repealed, or revoked in order to protect the environment may apply to the Environmental Commissioner for a review of the policy, Act, regulation or instrument by the appropriate minister.” (Section 61)
The application for review must:
- 1) State the names of the applicants;
- 2) Provide an explanation of why they believe the review applied for should be undertaken in order to protect the environment; and
- 3) Include a summary of the evidence supporting the applicant’s belief that the review applied for should be undertaken in order to protect the environment. In determining whether the public interest warrants a review, section 67 of the Act provides that the minister many consider:
The Act imposes a duty on the Minister to conduct the review within a reasonable time, if the Minister determines that the public interest warrants a review.