Ponoka fined $70,000 for sewage discharge permitted by province
While federal environmental enforcement is less frequent these days, the fines imposed are getting larger. The small town of Ponoka, Alberta (population about 7000) was fined $70,000 after pleading guilty to one count under the Fisheries Act. The Town was releasing effluent from their wastew…
View the post titled Ponoka fined $70,000 for sewage discharge permitted by provinceIn depth analysis of Heyes v BC
We’ve twice mentioned the BC case, refusing to compensate business owners severely impacted during subway construction: Susan Heyes Inc. v. South Coast BC Transportation Authority. See April and March, 2011. The Supreme Court refused leave to appeal on October 20, 2011. The current iss…
View the post titled In depth analysis of Heyes v BCCongratulations to Environmental Commissioners
I am late in congratulating both the Ontario and the federal Environmental Commissioners for their invaluable annual reports, and will try to look more closely at their findings as time permits. The Ontario Commissioner emphasizes how much the Ontario Ministry of the Environment is doing wit…
View the post titled Congratulations to Environmental CommissionersOffshore wind moratorium claim
For those interested, here is a copy of Trillium Power vs. The Queen (Ontario), Trillium’s Statement of Claim against the province of Ontario over Ontario’s on-again, off-again policy of encouraging offshore wind development, which is currently under a moratorium again. The alleg…
View the post titled Offshore wind moratorium claimExpropriating contaminated land
When a municipality expropriates contaminated land, can it deduct the full cost of remediating the contamination from the amount paid to the reluctant seller? Surprisingly, the answer is still not clear.
View the post titled Expropriating contaminated landDownspout disconnection- why bother?
A dinner guest recently grumbled about municipal requirements that he disconnect his downspouts. Why are they making us do such a stupid thing, he complained. What’s the point? Do we really have to do it?
View the post titled Downspout disconnection- why bother?Polar bears at risk: petition against Canada
A U.S. biodiversity group has petitioned the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, alleging that Canada has failed to enforce its species at risk law by failing to list and protect polar bears as endangered species. Such petitions can lead to a full scale investigation, and possibly an e…
View the post titled Polar bears at risk: petition against CanadaSafe ways to reuse grey water
What are the safe ways to reuse grey water on site? On site water reuse promises many economic and environmental benefits, but could cause health problems if done badly. The American standards agency, NSF, therefore released a useful standard for comprehensive evaluation of water reuse techn…
View the post titled Safe ways to reuse grey waterCongratulations to Cumberland
Congratulations to the Village of Cumberland, BC, for adopting an ambitious Water Conservation Plan, including universal metering and pay-per-use. The Village hopes to reduce per capita summer water use to 700 L/c/day, about a 30% reduction. The plan was a condition of a provincial Towns for…
View the post titled Congratulations to CumberlandWarmest holiday wishes
We wish all of our friends and colleagues every blessing during this holiday season. Health and joy to you, your family and your community. In this darkest time of the year, may we find a way to work together to shed more light in the year to come. Dianne and everyone at Saxe Law Office.
View the post titled Warmest holiday wishesReceive Blog Posts
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