The focus of our blogs, environmental compliance tips, webinars, etc…is typically on the nuts and bolts of environmental compliance, assessment, and remediation. Occasionally, we look at the bigger picture issues because they may eventually have some bearing on the nuts and bolts issues. One of those big picture issues is a look at the annual report from the Auditor General of Ontario. You may recall that since 1994 the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) had acted...
Read MoreEnvironmental Violations Lead to Fines
Environmental violations and the subsequent penalties can take months or years to “settle.” When the violation is of federal environmental laws, there is the potential prospect of getting your name added to the Environmental Offenders Registry. According to the Government of Canada, “The registry includes convictions of corporations obtained through court proceedings. Court prosecutions are one of several enforcement measures that may be used when violations or potential...
Read MoreCanadian Companies Face Environmental Enforcement in Canada and the US
Environmental Enforcement stories tend to get attention. Sometimes it’s an indication of a trend or enforcement initiative, or it may be that a case has reached a conclusion. Regardless, they are usually interesting unless, of course, it hits too close to home. The two enforcement cases below couldn’t be more different. The first case was interesting because we have been following the ongoing enforcement at dry cleaners in Canada… the second because it crosses the border...
Read MoreEnvironmental Issues at Old Manufacturing Plant In Ontario
Addressing environmental issues at old manufacturing plants that have been shuttered can be a significant undertaking. The storage and use of chemicals and products used in decades past may have been perfectly legal and acceptable at the time. These same practices may now be both illegal and pose human health and environmental risks. Century-Old Manufacturing Plant is Potential Source of Contamination We were reminded of these risks again recently as the closed General...
Read MoreScientifically Valid Evidence of Oil Sand Tailings Contamination?
According to a report in the CBC, “An environmental watchdog says it has found ‘scientifically valid evidence’ that Alberta’s oilsands tailings ponds are contaminating groundwater sources.” The group, Commission for Environmental Cooperation, did not elaborate on the specifics of this evidence in the CBC report, but the CBC report includes the 200-page report “Alberta Tailings Pond II.” One section of the report is “State of the Science in Environmental Chemical Forensics...
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