Proposed Fee Increases under the Environmental Management Act

The Business Council of British Columbia appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed fee changes under the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and related regulations.

The Ministry states that the goal of the proposed fee increases under the EMA is to update fee structures to reflect the increasing complexity of contaminated site and waste discharge applications. The ministry also notes that higher and restructured fees will help manage increased demand and improve service delivery.

However, these proposed fee increases must be considered within a broader economic and social context. BC businesses are already under strain because of rising government-related costs, in part from continuously expanding regulatory requirements and related fees for all types of activities in the province.