From: bkatz@epas.utoronto.ca (Bernard Katz)
Subject: An Environmental Bill of Rights
Organization: University of Toronto - EPAS
Distribution: ont
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 13:15:37 GMT

		MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

	QUESTIONNAIRE ON OPTIONS FOR AN ELECTRONIC REGISTRY

	FOR THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS

                     OCTOBER 1992


The Ontario Government is proposing to introduce an Environmental
Bill of Rights that will give the public increased rights and
opportunities to participate in decisions by the government that
may have significant environmental effects.  These decisions
include the creation of new policies, regulations and the issuance
of a wide range of instruments such as certificates of approval and
control orders.

The Ministry of the Environment has retained a consultant to
examine design and management options for an Electronic Registry
that would be used to give notice of proposed new policies and
regulations, and of applications for approvals granted under
various pieces of environmental legislation administered by a range
of Provincial Ministries.  The public will have the right to
express their views about a proposed policy, regulation or
instrument (e.g. a Certificate of Approval issued under the
Environmental Protection Act) and, in some circumstances, to
request a public hearing.  The Registry will also be used to inform
the public once a decision has been made.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, would like to receive
input from the public on various aspects of the proposed Electronic
Registry so that it can be designed and implemented to meet the
needs of the public as effectively as possible.  We are especially
interested in obtaining the views of current users of electronic
information networks, such as the one you are using to read this
message.  We would be grateful if you responded to the following
questions.  Please return your answers by October 23, 1992 to
kurtzj@gov.on.ca 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


1.   Which of the following aspects of the Electronic Registry
     would you use:

1.1  To see what new environmental policies are being proposed

          [ ] Yes             [ ] No

          If yes, how often?

               [ ] More than once a year
               [ ] More than once a month
               [ ] More than once a week


1.2  To see what new environmental regulations are being proposed

          [ ] Yes             [ ] No

          If yes, how often?

               [ ] More than once a year
               [ ] More than once a month
               [ ] More than once a week


1.3  To see what new instruments (e.g. permits) have been applied
     for

          [ ] Yes             [ ] No

          If yes, how often?

               [ ] More than once a month
               [ ] More than once a week
               [ ] More than once a day


1.4  For what purpose would you use this information:

          [ ] To ensure that the environment is being protected
          [ ] To identify possible market opportunities
          [ ] To investigate the competition
          [ ] To prepare company policies
          [ ] Other (please specify)



2.   Which of the following information needs to be on the
     Electronic Registry for it to be useful to you:

          A brief description of the policy, regulation or
          application 

               [ ] Yes             [ ] No

          Instructions for obtaining more information in non-
          electronic form

               [ ] Yes             [ ] No

          All background documentation

               [ ] Yes             [ ] No



3.   In what language would you prefer to access the information

          [ ] French
          [ ] English
          [ ] Other (please specify)



4.   Would it be important to you to be able to assess information
     in the Electronic Registry:
                                             Yes        No
          according to region                [ ]       [ ]
          according to Industry sector       [ ]       [ ]
          according to Year/Month            [ ]       [ ]
          according to Type of Waste         [ ]       [ ]
          according to Ministry/Act          [ ]       [ ]
          Other (please specify)             [ ]       [ ]



5.   Which of the following features would you like an Electronic
     Registry to have:

          [ ] Ability to search by key word
          [ ] Ability to respond immediately
          [ ] Other (please specify) 



6.   Please rank from 1 to 5 ( 1 being the best) the following
     modes of access to the Electronic Registry:

                                             Rank
     a)   From a PC in your home or office   [ ] 
     b)   From a PC at an MOE office         [ ] 
     c)   From a PC in the Public Library    [ ] 
     d)   From a PC at a Municipal Office    [ ] 
     e)   Other (please specify)             [ ]



7.   Do you have any comments or advice to give to the people who
     are designing the Electronic Registry?





8.   May we contact you or someone in you organization regarding
     this issue?

          [ ] Yes        [ ] No

          Name:
          Organization:
          Phone number:
          Address:

9.   Are you in favour of an electronic environmental registry that
     will provide: notice of planned policies, regulations and
     instruments (e.g. permits); notice of opportunities for public
     comment; and notice of decisions taken?

          [ ] Yes        [ ] No


Thank you for taking the time to respond to this questionnaire.
For more information on the Environmental Bill of Rights please
call the Ministry of the Environment at 1-800-565-4860 or mail 
questions to kurtzj@gov.on.ca.

Newsgroups: ont.general