TRACK 1, DAY 1
Streamlining Permissions for Storm Water Management Works through the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry
Juwairia Obaid and Pujan Shrestha, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. | Hall A
ABSTRACT
The presentation will provide information on regulatory changes that Ontario has made to streamline environmental permissions for storm water management works by requiring proponents to self-register certain well-understood storm water management works online on the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) rather than obtaining an environmental compliance approval (ECA) for these works. This includes works servicing private residential developments, institutional facilities such as long-term care, schools and hospitals and commercial sites such as gas stations and warehouses.
Proponents are required to meet environmentally protective requirements, including retaining a licensed engineering practitioner to design the works to certain design standards and complete certain technical assessments. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will be presenting details on the eligibility for this EASR and an overview of the registration and operational requirements.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Juwairia Obaid, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Juwairia Obaid is a Manager of Policy and Program Development at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), where she leads a strong team of policy advisors and engineers focused on modernizing environmental permissions through regulatory innovation to deliver permissions faster while maintaining environmental protections.
As a professional engineer and policy professional, Juwairia has led teams to deliver and develop complex program and policy initiatives at MECP and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, including streamlining approvals through a permit-by-rule and consolidated system-wide approaches and coordinating planning tools such as zoning orders.
She brings a strong understanding of environmental systems, risk mitigation, and cross-sector collaboration to support evidence-based decision-making.
Pujan Shrestha, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Pujan Shrestha is a Senior Program Advisor with Policy and Program Development unit at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), where she leads variety of projects that support Ontario’s modern regulatory system for environmental permissions.
She brings program expertise to the development of new regulations or amendments to existing regulations and operational practices, helping drive forward key initiatives that streamline business transformation initiatives across the province. Pujan holds a master’s degree in Ecology and Environment Management and brings a strong background in environmental policy.
Her previous work included providing technical advice and program support at MECP for the implementation of the Environmental Bill of Rights, helping ensure transparent and effective environmental decision making.