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, especially under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and a major cutback in federal environmental assessment. Here’s a list of some changes we will be making in our annual consolidation of federal environmental law, published by Canada Law Book:
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT
No amendments.
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999
— am. 2008, c. 31 (in force Sept. 28/09 per SI/2009-52)
— am. 2009, c. 14 (Royal Assent June 18/09; not yet in force)
CEAA REGS
Exclusion List Regulations, 2007
— am. SOR/2008-259
— am. SOR/2009-88
— am. SOR/2009-131
Infrastructure Projects Environmental Assessment Adaptation Regulations
— NEW SOR/2009-89
— am. SOR/2009-132
CEPA REGS
Phosphorous Concentration Regulations
— am. SOR/2009-178 (in force July 1, 2010)
Chlorobiphenyls Regulations
— REPEALED SOR/2008-273, s. 46
Storage of PCB Material Regulations
— REPEALED SOR/2008-273, s. 47
PCB Regulations
— NEW SOR/2008-273
Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations
— am. SOR/2009-93
Virtual Elimination List
— am. SOR/2009-15
Chromium Electroplating, Chromium Anodizing and Reverse Etching Regulations
— NEW SOR/2009-162
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations
— NEW SOR/2009-197 (in force June 18, 2010)
FISHERIES REGS
Fish Toxicant Regulations
— am. SOR/2008-322, ss. 35, 37