AlexissQS, deputy leader of the ONDP, talks about one of the ONDP's major policy in environment and transparency :

'' The New Democrat team takes to heart the values of transparency in our public institutions and government. It is also in all our interests to protect the environment. In recent years, Ontario has seen many polluting development projects come forward, with the approval of ministries that were supposed to ensure that Ontario was moving towards more sustainable paths. Actions have also been taken by previous governments to minimize environmental oversight and consultation. The Office of the Environmental Commissioner was cut by the Ford Conservatives, and Ministerial Zoning Orders make it so that ministers can override local planning authority without expert analysis.

Here, we want to do different. We want to join the climate and transparency. That's why we are creating the Ontario Environmental Assessment Board (OEAB). The commission will be composed of executives, who will be experts in the fields of environment, sustainable development and urban planning in order to objectively analyze any project. The executives will have investigative powers.

All project must go through this process :

A 30-day public information period, intended to inform the public about a project and its impact on the environment. It is during this period that any person, group, organization or municipality can make a request for public consultation or mediation to the Minister of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change.

If anyone or any NGO or anything ask for it, there is a public hearing. The president of the BAPE then appoints a commission of inquiry to carry out the mandate and prepare a report for the minister. The BAPE commissions have the power of inquiry, which allows them to question anyone who can shed light on the matter and to require the submission of documents for the analysis of the files. That procedure is used when the project as a whole is being questioned

The same commissioners are going to publish a full report on the social and environmental impacts of the project, as well as the mediations that have taken place and make a recommendation on the project. This recommendation is given to the Minister of the Environment, and is made public at the same time.

This last step will be the most important. It will no longer be possible for Ontario governments to ignore expert advice, and they will have the same information as the public. The goal is to combine transparency and the environment in a project that will change the way we develop the Ontario of tomorrow.

Together, we can build a greener, more transparent Ontario, and I believe this project is a suitable way to do it.''