Significant changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) have been introduced in the Senate Bill (S5), “Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act.” The Senate completed the first reading on February 9, 2022. What is CEPA? According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, “CEPA is Canada’s cornerstone federal environmental protection law that protects Canadians and the environment. Over the years, CEPA has been used to...
Read MoreGovernment Proposals to Reduce Methane from Landfills
As Canada seeks to reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, they are looking at various sources of GHGs, including methane from landfills. This focus on methane led to the release of two “measures” to address methane. The first measure is outlined in a document by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), “Landfill Methane Recovery and Destruction.” The draft document was available as of January (2022). Federal Offset Protocol According to the news release on...
Read MoreThe Complexity of Canada’s Plastics Ban
The national ban on single use plastics (i.e., plastics that will not be recycled) was supposed to have taken place in 2021. That did not happen, perhaps owed to the ongoing global battle with the pandemic. However, on December 21, 2021, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Health announced draft regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) banning certain single-use plastics deemed to be harmful. What paved the...
Read MoreEnvironmental Enforcement in Ontario
No one wants to be on the receiving end of an environmental enforcement action. There are often fines involved, sometimes significant fines. Beyond the fines and bad public relations, the cause for the “event” still must be addressed. Below are a couple of recent enforcement events in Ontario. Federal Enforcement in Kitchener According to the Canadian Government, on June 24, 2021, Drewlo Holdings Inc. (in Kitchener, ON) entered into an alternative measures agreement...
Read MoreOffice of Auditor General 2021 Report: Critical of Ontario’s Environmental Management
In our September 21st blog, we shared the news that the Ontario Divisional Court ruled that the Ontario Government broke the law by failing to consult with the public. This obligation to consult with the public is spelled out in the Ontario Bill of Rights. It should be noted that the above criticism and subsequent ruling was with respect to actions taken under Bill 197, the COVID–19 Economic Recovery Act. 2021 Annual Report Critical of Environment Ministry The recently...
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