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More Environmental Regulatory Changes in Ontario
In our December 20, 2019, blog we discussed some of the changes to the (Ontario) Environmental Protection Act. Most notably, we provided information with respect to excess soils management; however, the government of Ontario revealed other changes at the end of 2019. In the Backgrounder titled, “Regulations and Statues in Force as of January 1, 2020,” a list of changes (across several ministries) were shared. With respect to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP), there were several updates. Below are some of these...
read moreManagement of Excess Soils in Ontario: Official Changes Begin in 2020
As anticipated, management of excess soils in Ontario has officially been changed. On December 4, 2019, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) filed the On-Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation. This includes associated changes to Ontario’s Record of Site Condition and Waste Management Regulation. Statement from the MECP In the official release from the MECP Minister, Jeff Yurek states, “As Ontario’s population continues to grow, we need to ensure our valuable resources and prime land don’t go to...
read moreA 10-Second Environmental Compliance Check Up
If you have a question about an environmental compliance issue, or would like us to address a specific environmental compliance issue in the future, contact Christopher Paré, P.Geo. at 519-979-7300, ext. 114. Environmental Compliance Tips 2020 January: Environmental Compliance Protection Orders When can an environmental officer (from Environment and Climate Change Canada) issue an “environmental protection compliance order”? To prevent a violation from occurring. To stop or correct one that is occurring or continuing over a period of time. To...
read moreMore Environmental Enforcement News and Update on Air Release in Hamilton
The Environmental Emergency regulations are not brand new. Yes, these regulations did go through the repeal and replace process this past summer (August 24, 2019), but they were enacted in 2003, and we were discussing the E2 Regulation in 2016. In general, we have been suggesting that our clients be watchful with respect to the potential for more environmental enforcement action. With that said, the recent E2 enforcement action, which you may have read about in the news, dates back to a July 2016 order. Nevertheless, it should serve as a...
read moreProposed Changes to Penalties for Environmental Violations in Ontario
In our blog on October 30th, “Enforcement of Environmental Laws in Canada,” we discussed what appears to be an increased cost of not complying with environmental laws across Canada. As we said then, environmental protection laws and the penalties associated with non-compliance are constantly changing. And, indeed, more (proposed) changes are upon us. Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019 Bill 132, Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019 (Posted October 28, 2019) “…aims to modernize regulatory requirements that are...
read moreEnforcement of Environmental Laws in Canada
It was about ten months ago in our first blog of 2019 that we shared news of two environmental fines: A pulp and paper company was ordered to pay $3.5 million for violations of the Fisheries Act. A seafood company was fined $115,000 for contravening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. It was just the next month in our February 28th blog where we again shared more enforcement news: Syncrude paid $3 million for violating the Migratory Birds Act, and Green For Life (GFL) paid $300,000 – not for an actual release, but for an...
read moreA Fine From a Release, A “Scary” Release, and Potential Regulation of Releases
If you are in charge of environmental management, then no one needs to tell you that it can be complex and even frustrating. It requires knowing which regulations apply to your facilities, training your employees so they don’t unknowingly violate the regulations, and keeping a watchful eye on developing regulations. The three updates below provide us with a reminder of why environmental managers must not only develop and implement good internal policies, but why they also need to keep a good pulse on developing regulations. $50,000 Fine in...
read moreFinding Solutions to Pervasive Environmental Contamination Issues
By nearly every measure, Canadians today live, work, and play in a cleaner and safer environment than in past generations. From required environmental permitting and limiting various discharges to assessing and tracking chemical use and the growth of less-toxic alternatives for personal products and manufacturing processes…we have made tremendous progress. But, and you knew a “but” was coming, there are still no shortages of issues that require our attention. Age-Old Problem of Sewage Still Plagues Canada One of the most important...
read moreRecent Environmental Problems and Using a “Multitude of Counsel” to Avoid Future Problems
The law of unintended consequences says actions of people, and especially of government, always have effects that are unanticipated or unintended. This may aptly describe the first of two recent environmental-related news stories below. These unintended consequences can, at times, be avoided, or at least limited, by careful planning and by full consideration in the multitude of counsel. At a minimum, we are reminded to thoroughly consider that next project before moving forward. Green Energy Blamed for Black Water It appears that the case...
read morePer- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances: What We Know and Don’t Know
If you do a Google search (on google.ca) for PFAS, in about a half a second, you’ll have more than 60 million hits. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are potentially an important issue for human health, the environment, and the regulated community. What exactly are PFAS? Should you be concerned about them? PFAS have been linked to a variety of health effects from developmental issues to cancer. They are also persistent and can bioaccumulate (build up in the body) in mammals and piscivorous (meat-eating) birds. The Widespread Use...
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