Blue Heron Deaths Results in $2.75M Fine
On January 2, 2019 Syncrude Canada Ltd. pled guilty in the Alberta Court to one count of violating the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 along with several provincial charges. An abandoned sump pond by Syncrude at one of its oilsands mines north of Fort McMurray resulted in the death of 3…
View the post titled Blue Heron Deaths Results in $2.75M FineOntario’s Environment Plan and Reduction of Sulphur Dioxide Emissions Regulation
On November 28th, 2018 the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted its climate change plan as part of its environmental plan. Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made in Ontario Environment Plan (“Environment Plan”) appears to commit Onta…
View the post titled Ontario’s Environment Plan and Reduction of Sulphur Dioxide Emissions Regulation“Protective” and “Preventative” Purpose of Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act Justifies Warrantless Inspection Powers
In a decision released December 14, 2018, the Ontario Court of Appeal clarified the legal test that authorizes a warrantless inspection under s. 156(1) of the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19 (“EPA”). Facts of the Case In the case, Ontario (Environment and Climate Change) v…
View the post titled “Protective” and “Preventative” Purpose of Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act Justifies Warrantless Inspection PowersOntario Court of Appeal Holds that Deterrence Justifies Minimum Fine in Environmental Prosecution
The Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resource Act are unique among Ontario’s environmental legislation for containing mandatory minimum fines.[1] A new decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal makes it clear that where minimum fines exist, a trial justice has very narrow d…
View the post titled Ontario Court of Appeal Holds that Deterrence Justifies Minimum Fine in Environmental ProsecutionNova Scotia Supreme Court Grants Application for Judicial Review Concerning Provincial Funding for Effluent Treatment Facility
The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia has recently granted an application for judicial review relating to potential Crown funding for the construction of a new effluent treatment facility at Boat Harbour, Pictou County, Nova Scotia (the “Project”). In Pictou Landing First Nation v. Nova Scotia (A…
View the post titled Nova Scotia Supreme Court Grants Application for Judicial Review Concerning Provincial Funding for Effluent Treatment FacilityBill 66 – Expanded Municipal Zoning Power Would Make Some Environmental Land Use Policies Optional
UPDATE: Government announces that it will not be proceeding with Schedule 10 of the Bill. See update here. On December 6th, 2018, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018, passed first reading in the Ontario legislature. The government’s Proposal Summary on the Environmental Re…
View the post titled Bill 66 – Expanded Municipal Zoning Power Would Make Some Environmental Land Use Policies OptionalThe 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) Convenes in Katowice, Poland
On December 2, 2018, delegates from almost 200 nations convened in Katowice, Poland for the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The COP24, also known as the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Katowice, Poland, 2…
View the post titled The 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) Convenes in Katowice, PolandNew Municipal Resources on Ontario’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program
Conservation Ontario, a non-profit association that represents Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities, has released new resources for municipal councillors and staff on Ontario’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program. The Drinking Water Source Protection Program was implemented pursu…
View the post titled New Municipal Resources on Ontario’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program2018 Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Annual Report
The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (“ECO”) released her office’s 2018 Annual Report, titled, “Back to Basics: Respecting the Public’s Voice on the Environment” on November 13, 2018.[1] The Report is published in four volumes, spanning 339 pages. Volume 1 reports on government ministri…
View the post titled 2018 Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Annual ReportGovernment “Eco Fees” on New Tires Eliminated
If you recently purchased winter tires in Ontario you may have noticed that the government “eco-fees” charged on the purchase of new tires was eliminated as of October 1, 2018. The fee, which was approximately $3.30 per tire for passenger and light trucks was levied by the government to supp…
View the post titled Government “Eco Fees” on New Tires EliminatedReceive Blog Posts
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