Government support, the tar sands, and the CEN
The Canadian Environmental Network, a central body that coordinates over 600 environmental groups, may not be around much longer. Environment Minister Peter Kent recently announced that the Federal Government will no longer be providing the funding that has always made up the bulk of the CEN…
View the post titled Government support, the tar sands, and the CENOff shore wind lawsuit
Before the election, the McGuinty government put a moratorium on offshore wind projects, claiming that further research was needed. Now, one of the companies that planned to build an off-shore wind farm in Lake Ontario is suing for compensation.
View the post titled Off shore wind lawsuitEnvironmental causes of action
The recent Court of Appeal decision in Smith v Inco is requiring Canadian environmental lawyers to carefully rethink environmental causes of action–who can sue who for what? How can Smith v. Inco be reconciled with St. Lawrence Cement v. Barrette? (Different type of nuisance). Why can non-to…
View the post titled Environmental causes of actionCompost maker fined $125,000
Compost maker Scott Environmental Group Limited has been fined $125,000 plus the 25% victim fine surcharge, for breaching multiple conditions of its Certificate of Approval. Scott (operating as Norterra Organics in Kingston) pleaded guilty to accepting too much daily waste, storing more than…
View the post titled Compost maker fined $125,000Good service, great staff
A typical client summarized their experience with our firm as follows: “Good service, great staff”! Another said, “Many thanks to Elaine… She is a gem.” It’s wonderful to hear. And thank you so much for referring your colleagues to us. We really appreciate…
View the post titled Good service, great staffBig fine for environmental consultant
Fines of $201,500, plus the 25% victim fine surcharge, have been imposed on an environmental consultant, his company and its client, for violations of the Ontario Water Resources Act. The client was also sent to jail.
View the post titled Big fine for environmental consultantPort Colborne class action dismissed
Can neighbours sue for historic contamination? The leading Canadian case has been Pearson (later Smith) v. Inco, a class action by thousands of Port Colborne property owners against Inco, for alleged losses in property value due to nickel oxide that was legally deposited in the area during t…
View the post titled Port Colborne class action dismissedBanning sludge spreading?
The Québec Court of Appeal has struck down a municipal bylaw banning the spreading of sludge, on the ground that it exceeds the municipality’s jurisdiction.
View the post titled Banning sludge spreading?Yes, TCE is a carcinogen
After 22 years of study, and intense political maneuvering, the US Environmental Protection Agency has formally classified TCE (trichloroethene, also called trichloroethylene) as a carcinogen, as well as a non-cancer hazard to human health. The assessment is now a formal part of the the Inte…
View the post titled Yes, TCE is a carcinogenMunicipality can require waterfront greening to protect water
The St. Charles Lake provides half the potable water used by Québec City. When nutrients from human activity began to create plagues of toxic bacteria, the City enacted a by-law requiring owners of lakefront property to put in 10-15 metre buffer zones comprised of trees, bushes and other pl…
View the post titled Municipality can require waterfront greening to protect waterReceive Blog Posts
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