When I talk with my colleagues in our US office, they often comment that the fines for environmental violations seem far less severe in Canada than in the US. In fact, earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency substantially increased the potential cost for non-compliance. However, as I shared with my colleagues, some recent cases in Canada may signal a change in environmental fines, as well as plaintiff awards. Larger Penalties The federal Fisheries Act was...
Read MoreCambridge TCE Site – One of the Largest
The Cambridge trichloroethylene (TCE) site is one of the largest TCE sites in Ontario. This, according to Amy Shaw, district manager with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC). The site is the former Northstar Aerospace facility site in Cambridge, Ontario, where it has been 12 years since the Bishop Street TCE plume was discovered. Earlier this spring, the Cambridge TCE issue was in the news again. The CBC reported that the MOECC did not have a timeline...
Read MoreNPRI: June 1st Reporting Deadline
Environmental compliance can seem like a race without a finishing line; you are never quite there. And as you, no doubt, are aware, it’s time again to make sure you have your National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) completed so you can meet your June 1st reporting deadline. While there have been some changes, the starting point is still to ask yourself if you have NPRI reporting obligations. For that, we turn to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): “If one or...
Read MoreThe Most Important Environmental Issue?
What is THE MOST IMPORTANT environmental issue? In the environmental “world” including the regulated community, the regulators, and those who provide advice and services, the answer to this question will vary greatly. It will depend on your responsibilities and the individual pressures you face on a daily basis. Results of Informal Environmental Survey That was our conclusion from the unscientific survey we conducted while at the CANECT conference in Mississauga, Ontario....
Read MoreEnvironmental Regulations: Dry Cleaners and Their Suppliers
In the past few years, we’ve shared observations regarding several cases of enforcement at dry cleaners. The basis for enforcement is the Tetrachloroethylene Regulations, or PERC Regulations (SOR/2003-79). This is a federal (rather than provincial) regulation. It is administered under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. While there is little disputing the potential health and environmental impacts that can result from mishandling PERC or other chlorinated solvents,...
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