Ontario cap-and-trade deadlines

Two important Ontario cap-and-trade deadlines are fast approaching:

1. Participants must apply for free allowances by Sept. 1, 2016 (Note: on Sept. 1, 2016, this deadline was extended to Sept. 16, 2016).
2. Participants must register with the Compliance Instrument Tracking System Service ("CITSS") by Nov. 30, 2016.

Training sessions for free allowances and CITSS registration are ongoing. Only certain facilities are eligible for free allowances. Mandatory and voluntary participants in the cap-and-trade program can first apply for free allowances and then register for CITSS.

For more information on the cap-and-trade program and a complete cap-and-trade program timeline, see our previous article: A guide to Ontario's cap-and-trade regime.

CITSS Registration

Participants in the cap-and-trade program can register with CITSS here. We recommend starting as early as possible as it is a potentially lengthy two-part process.

Part One: Account Agent/User Registration

Individuals must register first in the CITSS system. Each participant must have at least one individual register as a Primary Account Representative ("PAR") and one register as an Alternate Account Representative ("AAR"), but may have up to 4 AARs and 5 Account Viewing Agents ("AVAs"). The PAR must be an Ontario resident.

After the online application is complete and the required documents are submitted by mail or courier, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (the "MOECC") has advised that processing account agent/user applications will take approximately 10-15 business days.

Part Two: Participant Registration

Registered individuals can then register participants using their CITSS access code. Participant registration includes adding facilities and disclosing parent and subsidiary relationships.

After the online application is complete and the required documents are submitted by mail or courier, the MOECC has advised that processing participant applications will take approximately 10-15 business days.

Going Forward

We will continue to provide updates on Ontario's cap-and-trade program. If you have any questions, please contact us directly. If you would like to receive these updates directly to your inbox, feel free to subscribe to receive the Gowling WLG Environmental Law newsletter here.