Ponoka fined $70,000 for sewage discharge permitted by province
While federal environmental enforcement is less frequent these days, the fines imposed are getting larger. The small town of Ponoka, Alberta (population about 7000) was fined $70,000 after pleading guilty to one count under the Fisheries Act. The Town was releasing effluent from their wastew…
View the post titled Ponoka fined $70,000 for sewage discharge permitted by provinceSLAPPS, wind and libel chill
We really need legislation to stop SLAPPs. According to the Ontario Anti-SLAPP panel report: “Strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) has been defined as a lawsuit initiated against one or more individuals or groups that speak out or take a position on an issue of pub…
View the post titled SLAPPS, wind and libel chillFirst "permit by rule" approval sectors
Ontario’s new environmental approvals system is proposed to have two streams: a detailed Approvals Process (to be called Environmental Compliance Approval) for more complex situations, similar to the current certificates of approval. In this stream, applications for activities outside …
View the post titled First "permit by rule" approval sectorsDoes the Endangered Species Act have teeth?
Is that all the Endangered Species Act will do? Create an expensive sort of legal shell game while irreplaceable habitat is bulldozed?
View the post titled Does the Endangered Species Act have teeth?Hanna lawsuit against wind turbines grinding on
Procedural skirmishing is underway in the Hanna lawsuit against Ontario wind turbines.
View the post titled Hanna lawsuit against wind turbines grinding onDon't touch that shoreline
Cottagers frequently want to “clean up” their shoreline, but this is usually illegal without a permit. A father and son were each charged with altering their shoreline and removing vegetation without a permit, contrary to the Saskatchewan Environment Management and Protection Act, 2002.
View the post titled Don't touch that shorelineAir pollution class action against the tar sands?
The successful class action by Port Colborne residents, Smith v. Inco, has opened the door to a similar class action against the tar sands. In Inco, nickel particles were emitted from the refinery for 80 years. There was no proof that Inco ever operated illegally or negligently, or failed …
View the post titled Air pollution class action against the tar sands?Approvals Reform gets closer
For most businesses that need new or amended approvals, these changes probably cannot come quickly enough. But the transition period could be painful.
View the post titled Approvals Reform gets closerCity goes to bat for neighbours of cement plant
In an unusual move, the City of Toronto has sought and obtained leave to appeal the air certificate of approval issued to an existing cement plant. The plant had been the subject of numerous complaints from local residents, relating to dust and noise. The Ministry of the Environment issued a…
View the post titled City goes to bat for neighbours of cement plantFirst carbon capture law
The coal mining state of Montana has adopted North America's first law on carbon capture and storage.
View the post titled First carbon capture lawReceive Blog Posts
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