Business Law

With the provincial election in full swing, all parties are making environmental promises. The reigning Liberals are promising to: • Create a tough new toxic reduction law • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% below 1990 levels by 2014, 15% below by 2020 and 80% by 2050, e.g. by – Co…

A Newfoundland case has sent a discouraging warning to major industries across the country. City Sand and Gravel Limited operated a quarry in St. John’s. Because of the regular blasting, the Department of Mines and Energy required a buffer zone of 300 meters between the quarry and resi…

Until September 19, 2007, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is accepting applications from municipalities for low-interest loans to fund brownfield remediation projects. The projects must result in conservation of heritage buildings or construction of new …

The Ministry of the Environment has proposed two new Codes of Practice for Ontario’s environmental assessment process: Preparing and Reviewing Environmental Assessments and Class Environmental Assessments. Comments may be made between August 17, 2007 and October 16, 2007. The Code of Practic…

The MOE is proposing to amend regulations under the Environmental Protection Act to mandate collection of landfill gas at all larger landfills. Unfortunately for municipalities, this would strip landfill gas collection of its eligibility for carbon emission reduction credits. One essential f…

How much should false information cost? Ontario’s Drive Clean program is intended to reduce air pollution by requiring motor vehicles to meet emission standards. An ongoing problem with the program is false information provided by owners or mechanics; maintaining the integrity of the p…

My Civic Hybrid was delighted to hear that the province is now promising to develop special plates and privileges for fuel efficient cars. Next year, my hybrid should be sporting a new Ontario Eco-licence plate. According to yesterday’s announcement, the Ontario government will consult with …

The huge Burnaby oil spill will lead to fascinating and potentially important legal proceedings over the next few years. While we don’t yet know why the excavator didn’t know it was about to dig into a pipeline, likely cases include: • a Fisheries Act prosecution against one or more parties …

We’ve had a wonderful response to our article about clotheslines and Ontario’s failure to use its Energy Conservation Leadership Act to wipe out clothesline restrictions in subdivision covenants and condo bylaws. (See July 12). We’ve been interviewed by CP and CTV, as well as reporters from …