The GM Salmon debate: allow, label, or outlaw?
To what extent should we continue to welcome genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”) into our food systems? The question has continued to invoke impassioned responses in recent years, with GMOs simultaneously touted by some as the salvation to global food security issues while de…
View the post titled The GM Salmon debate: allow, label, or outlaw?PMRA failing to fulfill its mandate
The Federal Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainable Development (“Commissioner”) tabled her audit findings on January 26, 2016 of the management of pesticides by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulator Agency (“PMRA”). The Commissioner reviewed PMRA’s efforts to protect Canadians …
View the post titled PMRA failing to fulfill its mandateEnergy East pipeline project faces further legal hurdles
Regional concerns over the contentious Energy East project have taken on an interesting twist recently. Quebec is seeking an injunction against the proponent of the proposed Energy East pipeline project, Trans Canada Corporation, forcing the company to submit the project to provincial enviro…
View the post titled Energy East pipeline project faces further legal hurdlesLittle Brown Bat the latest critter to shut down proposed wind farm
The Environmental Review Tribunal (“ERT”) has again demonstrated its willingness to allow appeals of renewable energy approvals (“REA”) for wind project on the basis that it will cause serious and irreversible harm to animal life, plant life or the natural environment…
View the post titled Little Brown Bat the latest critter to shut down proposed wind farmGeneral Contractor Dalcon Enterprises fined $80,000
On January 25, 2016, Dalcon Enterprises Ltd., a general contractor, was convicted of two offences and fined $80,000 (plus the 25% victim fine surcharge). The fines were for the discharge of a contaminant that caused an adverse effect and for failing to report the discharge to the Ministry of…
View the post titled General Contractor Dalcon Enterprises fined $80,000Alberta Court of Appeal Upholds Termination of Employee for Cocaine Use That Resulted in Workplace Accident
As most employers know, the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of, among other things, “disability”. While the Code’s definition of disability does not specifically include drug or alcohol addiction, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed over 16 year…
View the post titled Alberta Court of Appeal Upholds Termination of Employee for Cocaine Use That Resulted in Workplace AccidentA new approach to assessing resource projects coming down the pipeline?
The environmental review of proposed resource projects in Canada continues to undergo changes of late. Back in 2012, a duo of omnibus bills–Bill C-38 and Bill C-45–introduced significant changes to the way in which resource projects, such as the construction and expansion of pipelines. These…
View the post titled A new approach to assessing resource projects coming down the pipeline?Development Charges Act: funding for transit and recycling
Last week, we reported on the passage of Bill 73: Smart Growth for Our Communities Act, 2015 (the “Act”) and its implications for the Planning Act. This week we look at the amendments to the Development Charges Act, which mean more funding tools for municipalities for transit and recycling i…
View the post titled Development Charges Act: funding for transit and recyclingSignificant Changes to Planning Act Coming
On December 3, 2015 a few parts of Bill 73, the Smart Growth for our Communities Act, came into force, amending both the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act. The majority of the changes under the Planning Act are not yet in force. One significant pending change relates to removing a…
View the post titled Significant Changes to Planning Act ComingFeds publish proposed microbeads ban
The federal government will go ahead with a ban of microbeads in personal hygiene products. We wrote last summer about both the then-Conservative government’s announced intention to institute a ban as well as the problems to Canadian waterways posed by the presence of microbeads in per…
View the post titled Feds publish proposed microbeads banReceive Blog Posts
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