Both sides are pressuring us where the act is concerned. Those wanting to build infrastructures are exerting a great deal of pressure on us. They are complaining that the process is not moving forward fast enough. Pressure is also coming from some environmental groups that use the act for environmental purposes more so than for projects. Opponents will seize this opportunity to express their opposition to projects requiring an environmental assessment.
Yes, some applications are refused, but a certain number are also sent back to the applicants, who are advised that their project requires neither an application nor approval by us.
On that note, we have prepared a number of pamphlets on policies arising from subsection 5(2) of the act that we will be forwarding to the committee. Several exempt categories were agreed on several years ago. People are not aware of these exemptions when they file an application to build a dock at their cottage. We inform them that they are not required to file an application if they comply with the standards for this type of work: for instance, if the build does not exceed certain dimensions, if it is located a certain distance from the neighbouring lot, if it extends no further than a certain number of metres from the shoreline, and so forth.
Many projects, however, drag on for several years and never come to anything. We receive applications for projects that never come to fruition. We often receive applications to build a particular infrastructure, although nothing ever comes of the project. The statistics do not take situations like this into account.
There are three categories of exempt projects: those that have been refused, those for which no application is required, or those that are extended or withdrawn by the applicant.