Mine or hauler: Who's responsible for Waste PCB Oil?
In Enviro West Inc. v. Copper Mountain Mining Corp. a waste hauler was hired to remove waste oil from a transformer at a mine. Despite several oral and written warnings, the hauler didn’t realize the oil was heavily contaminated with PCBs. As a result, the hauler mixed the PCBs with other oils, creating extensive PCB contamination...
Continue reading the post titled Mine or hauler: Who's responsible for Waste PCB Oil?Class actions for historic contamination
Class actions for historic contamination: Sydney Tar Ponds and Smith v. Inco The class action by neighbours of the notorious tar ponds in Sydney, Nova Scotia, is going ahead, although neighbours of Inco’s Port Colborne plant have lost theirs.Â
Continue reading the post titled Class actions for historic contaminationPollution, 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 Administrator Lisa Jackson.
Continue reading the post titled Pollution, hot spots and environmental justiceChanges to the Employment Standards Act, 2000
New ESA Poster Requirement The Ministry of Labour has released a new version (6.0) of its Employment Standards Poster, Employment Standards in Ontario. Posting The new version of the poster must be posted in each of an employer’s workplaces in a location where it is likely to come to the attention of employees (printed out...
Continue reading the post titled Changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000Expropriating contaminated land
When a municipality expropriates contaminated land, can it deduct the full cost of remediating the contamination from the amount paid to the reluctant seller? Surprisingly, the answer is still not clear.
Continue reading the post titled Expropriating contaminated landNew Industrial Waste Surcharge Agreements – fair?
The City of Toronto is demanding that local industries sign a draconian new form of 2012 Waste Discharge Agreement, to come into force on January 1, 2012. Unfortunately, the proposed agreement could seriously prejudice any organization that signs it. For example, it gives the City the right to determine compliance without taking scientifically valid samples. As...
Continue reading the post titled New Industrial Waste Surcharge Agreements – fair?When is a pit a “pit”?
The recent Ontario Court of Justice appeal decision in R v AJL Janssen Landscaping Ltd has offered some guidance as to the definition of “pit” under section 1(1) of the Aggregate Resources Act (“ARA”). AJL Janssen Landscaping (“AJL”) is a landscaping, road building, excavation, drilling, and blasting company. In 2012, it approached a landowner to...
Continue reading the post titled When is a pit a “pit”?Libel & Slander
Your name is paramount: we realize what's at stake.
Continue reading the post titled Libel & SlanderCannabis Sector
The legal aspects of this niche area of law are as complex and fast-paced as the sector itself.
Continue reading the post titled Cannabis SectorIn Our Community
Energize, Inspire, Create Energizing good ideas and inspiring others is an apt description of Siskinds’ approach to community service. While Siskinds lawyers and staff volunteer, sponsor, participate and serve on the boards of amazing causes, we’re also proud of what we create. Following are some examples of our events and projects. Jordan’s Run-The-Runway – September 20,...
Continue reading the post titled In Our CommunityReceive Blog Posts
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