Pollution, hot spots and environmental justice
Is it acceptable for legal pollution levels to be higher in some neighbourhoods than in others? In the US, pollution is often concentrated in areas of colour, including the famous Cancer Alley. Changing this is called “environmental justice”, and is an important priority for US EPA Administ…
View the post titled Pollution, hot spots and environmental justiceAODA Compliance – Will you be ready for January 1?
Several months ago, I blogged briefly about the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”), which became law in 2005. As part of that law, every private-sector and not-for-profit organization that provides goods or services to the public or to third parties and that has at l…
View the post titled AODA Compliance – Will you be ready for January 1?Intro to environmental law for construction
Interested in an overview of environmental law for those involved in construction? Dianne recently gave one to the Ontario Bar Association Construction Law section. To see it, click OBA Construction Intro.
View the post titled Intro to environmental law for constructionUS Fracking lawsuits
Fracking lawsuits are spreading across the US. The first cases were launched in Pennsylvania in 2009, claiming damages for contamination of the aquifers on which the plaintiffs depend. Since then, other cases have been launched by dozens of property owners in Pennsylvania, Texas, Arkansas, C…
View the post titled US Fracking lawsuitsRoundup pesticides to have special review
West Coast Environmental and Josette Wier have obtained a court order requiring Health Canada to conduct a special review of one use of common glyphosate-based pesticides (such as Roundup) mixed with an ingredient known as POEA. There is conflicting evidence about the toxicity of the mixture…
View the post titled Roundup pesticides to have special reviewPerc in your dry cleaned sweater?
Perchloroethylene (also called tetrachloroethylene, PCE or PERC) is a common dry cleaning solvent. It is also used in textile processing and degreasing. Exposure to this chemical is associated with a host of adverse effects. So we were struck by a recent study that shows PERC residues buildi…
View the post titled Perc in your dry cleaned sweater?Orgaworld wins organic waste odour appeal
Orgaworld Canada, a composting company, has won a hard-fought appeal for permission to compost disputed wastes at its Ottawa facility, despite MOE fears about potential odours. The disputed wastes include pet faeces, urine, and organic waste in plastic bags. In rejecting the Ministry of the …
View the post titled Orgaworld wins organic waste odour appealSpeech from the Throne
Environmental issues were not top of mind in yesterday’s Speech from the Throne by Ontario’s minority government. In fact, the word “environment” is mentioned only once:
View the post titled Speech from the ThroneThinking about the Occupy question
I agree that municipalities should be permitted to enforce their “no camping” bylaws in city parks. But I also agree with the Occupiers that undue social inequalities are harmful, for the environment and for society as a whole. Richard Wilkinson has done some excellent research o…
View the post titled Thinking about the Occupy questionCycling, accidents, and responsibility
A great deal of responsibility is placed on cyclists to watch out for their own safety. Under the Highway Traffic Act, a bicycle is a vehicle and has the same rights and responsibilities as other road users and the driver of a bicycle must be as conscientious as the driver of a car. The Courts...
View the post titled Cycling, accidents, and responsibilityReceive Blog Posts
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