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An RCCAO study is criticizing Ontario's environmental assessment (EA) process by stating associated delays cost taxpayers additional funds and hold back thousands of full-time jobs.

A study released by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) argues the province's environmental assessment (EA) process delays municipal infrastructure projects by an average of almost 20 months.

EA is a study and a planning process evaluating the potential environmental effects and benefits of a project or undertaking before decisions are made about proceeding.

RCAAO's "Are Ontario's Municipal Class Environmental Assessments Worth the Added Time and Costs?" suggests that based on the approximate 140 projects per year, this delay costs taxpayers an additional $232 million and holds back 10,000 full-time jobs that could be created annually.

The report also suggests a large portion of the intended federal and provincial stimulus funding for work has been dulled as municipalities cannot continue with many needed projects without spending additional funds on EA requirements.

In the study, RCAAO recommends the Ontario government:
• reduce the 'bump-up' request timeframe;
• create a municipal-class EA regulation to fast-track basic infrastructure projects;
• eliminate the requirement to undertake another study and review alternatives for basic infrastructure;
• establish protocols with federal agencies in relation to bridge replacement EAs as to which agency will have the final say on issues such as appropriate clearance distances between bridges and navigable waters; and
• expand the recognition of prior Planning Act consultations for certain short distance road extensions.