2003/04 – 2005/06 SERVICE PLAN Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Environmental Appeal Board and
Forest Appeals Commission

The Environmental Appeal Board (Board) and Forest Appeals Commission (Commission) are independent, quasi-judicial tribunals jointly administered by the same office. They hear appeals of government decisions under several provincial statutes concerned with natural resource management, environmental quality and public health protection. Although these agencies operate independently from the ministry, their budget vote is the responsibility of the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection. Therefore, they are not considered one of the core business areas accountable to the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection; but they are included in the Resource Summary of this Service Plan.

The mandate and services of the Board and Commission are being reviewed as part of the Administrative Justice Project, a review of the province’s administrative justice system initiated by the Attorney General. In Phase I of the review, the government concluded that the Board and the Commission serve a compelling public purpose by providing an impartial forum for the resolution of disputes. The government also concluded that the agencies could improve their efficiency by fully consolidating their operations. The Board and Commission have submitted a Phase II report to the Attorney General and are awaiting the results. They are drafting legislation to implement the consolidation.