ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how citizen participation evolved into an integral part of that process, in terms of philosophy, technique, and organization. It discusses how public involvement was utilized in actual projects, particularly those associated with the location of transmission facilities. The majority of the Ontario population live in the southern cities which comprise Canada's industrial and financial heartland. Major construction projects undertaken by Ontario Hydro, such as the building of a new generating station, are generally reviewed by the Ontario cabinet and are subject to the Environmental Assessment Act of 1975. Public Relations in Ontario Hydro deals with corporate issues such as acid gas emissions and nuclear safety rather than project-specific information. A citizens committee is comprised of local citizens who reflect a cross-section of community interest. A workshop is a seminar or series of meetings designed for intensive study, work or discussion among the participants.
