US climate rules, California and Ontario's cap and trade plan
Canada has done so little for so long that our climate policy has laid us wide open to serious protectionist provisions in the 1500 page ACES, HR 2454.
Continue reading the post titled US climate rules, California and Ontario's cap and trade planDrummond on environment, how helpful?
Last week, we posted chapter 13 of Don Drummond’s report, the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services, the section on the Ministry of the Environment. Here, in brief, are his recommendations. Other than the general good advice that the MOE should eliminate duplication and charge more for its fee-based services, none of the recommendations will...
Continue reading the post titled Drummond on environment, how helpful?Environmental Assessment not statutory authority?
An environmental assessment, no matter how “extensive and wide ranging”, does not amount to statutory authority, or provide a defence in nuisance, according to the British Columbia Court of Appeal in Appeal in Heyes v. Vancouver, now Susan Heyes Inc. (Hazel & Co.) v. South Coast B.C. Transportation Authority.
Continue reading the post titled Environmental Assessment not statutory authority?Ontario Anti-SLAPP law soon after all?
Yesterday,  we noted that Environment Minister Glen Murray’s mandate letter includes no reference to a new anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participation) law: https://www.siskinds.com/environment-minister-murrays-mandate-letter/, even though SLAPPs are often directed against environmental protection groups. A faithful reader has helpfully pointed out that, thankfully, that is because bringing the anti-SLAPP law back to the Legislature is mandated to...
Continue reading the post titled Ontario Anti-SLAPP law soon after all?Environment or economy?
The Conference Board of Canada predicts that investments in technology to prevent and adapt to climate change will have major economic benefits. The report, The Economic and Employment Impacts of Climate-Related Technology Investments concludes that climate-friendly technology investments can contribute to both economic and employment growth over the next five years.  This supports the economic argument for initiatives...
Continue reading the post titled Environment or economy?Risk Assessments- old numbers or new?
This Technical Update will likely invalidate most risk assessments already submitted to the MOE.
Continue reading the post titled Risk Assessments- old numbers or new?Can we still eat fish?
Can a responsible person still eat fish?
Continue reading the post titled Can we still eat fish?Canadian small businesses to receive rent relief
Note: An updated article on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program can be found here. During Prime Minister Trudeau’s daily address on Thursday, April 16, 2020 he announced a new assistance program to help small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Prime Minster, the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (“CECRA”) program...
Continue reading the post titled Canadian small businesses to receive rent reliefFeds to regulate municipal wastewater
Environment Canada has released 74 pages of proposed regulations on municipal sewage treatment. Once in force, these regulations will set standards for effluent and reporting from about 4000 municipal wastewater facilities, and will considerably tighten discharge standards for many of these plants. Last year, the Canadian Council of Minister of the Environment endorsed a Canada-wide Strategy for the...
Continue reading the post titled Feds to regulate municipal wastewaterMoney for Brownfields
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 buildings to at least a LEED™ Silver rating. (LEED has really caught on as benchmark of...
Continue reading the post titled Money for BrownfieldsReceive Blog Posts
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