Free, open access to environmental enforcement files

Alberta’s government is helping everyday Albertans by launching a new web-based service to provide Albertans with free and direct access to environmental enforcement history records.

The Environmental Historical Enforcement Search will be available through the Alberta government website at alberta.ca/environmental-historical-enforcement-search.

Previously, searches were completed for a fee by the Environmental Law Centre (ELC), which offered this service to Albertans since 1996. Now, with the support of ELC, thousands of people who request document searches annually will be connected to the new site.

“Making environmental historical enforcement records accessible through this web-based service demonstrates this government’s commitment to transparency, reducing red tape, improving efficiencies and eliminating the cost to Albertans,” explains Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks.

“These changes make the delivery of online services simpler, easier, and more cost-effective for government and Albertans. By changing how records are searched, we can shorten wait times, streamline the administrative burden on local businesses and make life better for Albertans,” adds Tanya Fir, Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction.

Alberta’s Recovery Plan is helping everyday Albertans by reducing regulatory burden and red tape for businesses, saving job creators both time and money.

Quick facts

• In 2020, there were 4,238 search requests completed. In 2019, there were 5,549 search requests completed.

• Albertans who typically access environmental enforcement history records include realtors, lawyers, educational institutions, financial institutions, members of the media and members of the public.

• The search fee cost was $75 per enforcement action search.

• The web-based service will reduce red tape by allowing the public to access information for free without having to go through a third party, aligning with government’s commitment to reduce costs and make services more accessible for Albertans.

• Enforcement action records include Environmental Regulatory Service of Alberta Environment and Parks under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and its predecessor legislation, including the Hazardous Chemicals Act, Agriculture Chemicals Act, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, dating back to 1971, and/or pursuant to the Water Act from 1999 onward.

• As of July 1, Alberta’s government has completed more than 400 red tape reduction initiatives removing more than 112,000 regulatory requirements for an overall reduction of almost 17 per cent.

• Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a plan to breathe new life into Alberta’s economy and create new opportunities for every Albertan. It’s a plan to build, to diversify, and to create jobs.