31 (1) The Minister, for the purposes of the administration and enforcement of this Act and the regulations may, (a)  conduct research with respect to the environment or environmental assessments; (b)  conduct studies of the quality of the environment; (c)  conduct studies of environmental planning or environmental assessments designed to lead to the wise use of the environment by humans; (d)  convene conferences and conduct seminars and educational and training programs with respect to the environment or environmental assessments; (e)  gather, publish and disseminate information with respect to the environment or environmental assessments; (f)  make grants and loans for research or the training of persons with respect to the environment or environmental assessments in such amounts and upon such conditions as the Minister, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, may determine; (g)  appoint committees to perform such advisory functions as the Minister considers advisable; (h)  make such investigations, surveys, examinations, tests and other arrangements as he or she considers necessary; and (i)  with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, enter into an agreement with any government or person with respect to the environment or environmental assessments.  R.S.O. 1990, c. E.18, s. 31; 1993, c. 27, Sched; 1996, c. 27, s. 11 (1); 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (1). Delegation (2) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may delegate to an employee or class of employees in the Ministry any power conferred or duty imposed on the Minister under this Act and may impose limitations, conditions and requirements on the delegation.  1996, c. 27, s. 11 (2). Same (3) The Minister shall not delegate the following powers: 1.  Repealed:  2001, c. 9, Sched. G, s. 3 (6). 2.  The power to make decisions under subsection 9 (1). Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, paragraph 2 of subsection 31 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “subsection 9 (1)” at the end and substituting “subsection 17.15 (1)”. (See: 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (2)) 3.  The power to refer decisions or matters to the Tribunal. 3.1  The power to review decisions of the Tribunal under subsections 11.2 (1) and (1.1). Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, paragraph 3.1 of subsection 31 (3) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted: (See: 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (4)) 3.1  The power to review decisions of the Tribunal under subsections 17.22 (1) and (2). 4.  The power under section 11.4 to reconsider a decision. However, the Minister may make a delegation to the Tribunal as provided in that section or in respect of the power to issue an order under subsection 11.4 (3.1). Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, paragraph 4 of subsection 31 (3) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted: (See: 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (5)) 4.  The power under section 17.24 to reconsider a decision. However, the Minister may make a delegation to the Tribunal as provided in that section or in respect of the power to issue an order under subsection 17.24 (4). 5.  The power to amend a class environmental assessment under subsection 15.4 (1).  1996, c. 27, s. 11 (2); 2000, c. 26, Sched. F, s. 11 (6); 2001, c. 9, Sched. G, s. 3 (6); 2019, c. 9, Sched. 6, s. 8; 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (3). Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, paragraph 5 of subsection 31 (3) of the Act is repealed. (See: 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (6)) Same (4) The delegation must be made in writing.  1996, c. 27, s. 11 (2). Same (5) An employee shall be deemed to be acting in accordance with the delegation when he or she is purporting to exercise a delegated power or to perform a delegated duty.  1996, c. 27, s. 11 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1993, c. 27, Sched. - 31/12/1991; 1996, c. 27, s. 11 (1, 2) - 01/01/1997 2000, c. 26, Sched. F, s. 11 (6) - 06/12/2000 2001, c. 9, Sched. G, s. 3 (6) - 29/06/2001 2019, c. 9, Sched. 6, s. 8 - 06/06/2019 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (1, 3) - 21/07/2020; 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 37 (2, 4-6) - not in force