Ontarios environment minister plans to consider growing the economy in his decisions [Video]

Ontario’s new environment minister says he wants to strike a balance between protecting natural space and advancing the economy as the Ford government begins a major overhaul of project approvals.

Todd McCarthy, who became the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks last month, said he was considering economic outcomes as part of ensuring he is effectively completing his role.

“I want to measure outcomes,” he told reporters.

“What are the outcomes? Are we growing the economy and protecting the environment, or are we just standing still? We can’t afford to stand still. Those are my metrics.”

On Tuesday, Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont delivered the Ford government’s speech from the throne, which focused on unlocking new economic growth by taking a “radically different approach” to major projects.

That approach ranges from tearing up interprovincial trade barriers to reducing assessments for new projects and cutting the time required to receive permits for projects like mining. Designations for some specific economic priority areas will also allow builders to reduce the …