What's New in Canadian environmental laws?
In keeping with the differing priorities of our federal and provincial governments, there have been far fewer changes in Canadian environmental laws in the past year, than in Ontario laws. The biggest federal changes have been increases in potential penalties and enforcement powers, especi…
View the post titled What's New in Canadian environmental laws?U.S. upsurge in environmental enforcement
Since Canada usually follows the US on environmental matters, it’s exciting to see that significant improvements have begun in US environmental enforcement. US EPA administrator, Lisa Jackson, has signalled a renewed emphasis on “environmental justice”, the exposure of poor and minority com…
View the post titled U.S. upsurge in environmental enforcementSpills from ships – federal or provincial?
Spills from ships into navigable waters are subject to both federal and provincial spill control laws.
View the post titled Spills from ships – federal or provincial?Conservation easement upheld
Gottsegen bought waterfront property, subject to a conservation easement to protect a 3 m wooded area at the water's edge. The easement had a built-in penalty for breach, of $100 per day. Gottsegen cut many of the trees and built a retaining wall; the neighbourhood Association sued.
View the post titled Conservation easement upheldJail for white collar environmental crimes
Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. has been fined $8 million for environmental and health and safety offences. Four of its senior managers have been sent to jail. Could it happen in Canada?
View the post titled Jail for white collar environmental crimesNew rules for mining in Ontario
The Minister of Northern Development and Mines has introduced Bill 173, a substantial set of amendments to the Mining Act. The amendments are intended to: improve notice to, and consultation with, aboriginal communities and surface rights owners; prevent mining claims from being staked on la…
View the post titled New rules for mining in OntarioToxics Reduction Act
For no obvious reason, Toronto industries will now have three layers of overlapping regulation of their use of toxic substances: federal, provincial and municipal.
View the post titled Toxics Reduction ActSpecies at Risk
The Environmental Commissioner, Gord Miller, has released a special report on Species at Risk. It’s an excellent, thorough and balanced report, with a comprehensive overview of the challenges ahead. He gives the province fair credit for adopting the Species at Risk Act, 2007, but notes the h…
View the post titled Species at RiskOBA comment on the Green Energy Act
As Public Affairs for the Environmental Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association, I had the privilege of organizing and editing the OBA’s comments on the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, Bill 150. On the whole, we strongly support the Bill, but have pointed out a number of areas …
View the post titled OBA comment on the Green Energy ActRegulation of noise
Noise is one of the classic irritants that drives neighbours crazy.
View the post titled Regulation of noiseReceive Blog Posts
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