Port 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 dismissedParty platforms on environmental issues
I hope that environmental issues matter when you decide how to vote. Here is an impartial analysis of all the major Ontario parties’ positions on key environmental issues, to help you prepare for the provincial election on October 6.
View the post titled Party platforms on environmental issuesSet fines under Reg. 347
Many environmental offences can be enforced either as a full-scale prosecution, where the maximum fines are enormous, or as a ticket, where there are modest set fines. For example, the set fine for operating a waste collection vehicle that is not “leakproof”, contrary to section 16 (3) of Re…
View the post titled Set fines under Reg. 347Grassy Narrows victory and renewable energy
The Grassy Narrows First Nation has won an important legal victory, affecting Ontario lands north of the English River, the “Keewatin Lands”. After 11 years of litigation, they have succeeded in obtaining a ruling that the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) had no right to issue fores…
View the post titled Grassy Narrows victory and renewable energyStatoil to plead guilty to oilsands offences
Statoil, the 2/3 state-owned Norwegian oil company, is well known for promising to develop the oil sands sustainably. This fall, it will plead guilty to charges relating to its Alberta oil sands project.[1]
View the post titled Statoil to plead guilty to oilsands offencesRenewable energy approvals
The Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources continue to elaborate their rules for renewable energy approvals, for wind, solar and biomass projects.
View the post titled Renewable energy approvalsWhat's the right brownfields regulation?
Many consultants are confused about the correct way to refer to the Ontario regulation on contaminated sites and records of site condition. As one wrote,
View the post titled What's the right brownfields regulation?What was she thinking?
In R. v. Matchim, a recent case before the Ontario Court of Justice (March 18 2011), firefighters extinguished a blaze in the basement of a home on Vincent Street, in Newmarket. An explosion then occurred in the main sanitary sewer line on the street.
View the post titled What was she thinking?Guidance for Environmental Site Assessments
Now that Reg. 153/04 sets strict new standards for Environmental Site Assessments of contaminated sites, it is good news that the Ministry of the Environment has finally released its guidance document for performing those ESAs. Although the new rules are only mandatory when seeking a Record…
View the post titled Guidance for Environmental Site AssessmentsErickson decision: wind turbines can be built in Ontario
The debate should not be simplified to one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence presented to the Tribunal demonstrates that they can, if facilities are placed too close to residents. The debate has now evolved to one of degree. The question that should be ask…
View the post titled Erickson decision: wind turbines can be built in OntarioReceive Blog Posts
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