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 October: Environmental Permits for New Manufacturing Plant in Ontario I’m opening a new manufacturing plant in Ontario. What environmental assessments/permits might I need? Depending on what you are manufacturing, chemicals used,...
Read MoreHow Well do You Understand Groundwater and How Contaminants Move in Groundwater?
Contaminated groundwater can be a significant environmental challenge. How contaminants move in the groundwater and how to address or remediate groundwater is a common topic of seminars, webinars, and articles (you can view our series of webinars on assessment and remediation of groundwater). While not an uncommon issue, few environmental professionals are fluent in their knowledge of groundwater. Personally, my environmental undergraduate degree barely touched on...
Read MoreAir Emissions in Canada Causing Health Concerns?
Are industrial emissions the cause of the higher-than-average rates of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in several Canadian Cities? This is a very complex and emotional topic, but a new study may be helpful in understanding and addressing industrial emissions. High Rates of Cancer As reported in Canada’s National Observer, “A new peer-reviewed study has found ‘strikingly high’ rates of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Canadian border towns, including Sarnia, Ont., a city whose...
Read MoreTwo Current Environmental Issues and Identifying the Source of Pollution
Environmental or legislative issues, and any level of approval they may enjoy, will vary based on geography, industry, and a variety of other factors. Cases in point, Bill C-69 and algal blooms. Officially, Bill C-69 goes by the not-so-short title, “An Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to amend the Navigation Protection Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.” Opposition to Bill C-69 Not everyone is “a fan” of...
Read MoreThe Court of Public Perception
Environmental management issues go beyond a cut-and-dried reading and application of the regulations. Often there is more than just “scientific facts” and a strict reading of the regulations. Sometimes perceptions and sentiment trump facts, and sometimes the regulations have not caught up with the science. This extra-regulatory approach to environmental management is often lumped under what is referred to as a social licence. Defining Social Licence The idea of a social...
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