For the first time in more than a decade, waste discharge fees and annual fees paid for by industry and local government will be increased to fund improved environmental protection in B.C., as well as to provide better service.

Effective April 1, 2018, the following fees under the Environmental Management Act (EMA) will increase, for the first time since 2006:

• Waste discharge permit application and amendment fees, and
• Annual fees for air, effluent, refuse and storage permits.

Additional revenues generated will go towards hiring additional compliance and enforcement staff, and mirror the cost of living since the last fee increase.

“Every dollar of the increased revenue will be reinvested to ensure we are improving services for companies and local governments, while we enhance environmental protection,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “We believe the new fee structure is fair for sectors that have been paying the same rates for a very long time.”

The increased fees are expected to generate approximately $2.7 million in revenue annually. The additional revenue will improve services and environmental protection by increasing inspection capacity and other compliance and enforcement activities. The fees will also help to speed up the processing of permit applications.

For more information on EMA fees, including the updated amounts, please visit: http://ow.ly/BY2S30j2sWP