As 2022 came to a close, the Government of Canada announced a seven-figure fine for a company that had releases that resulted in fish kills. Release to the Environment Michels Canada Company, among other services, relines deteriorating sewer and water mains and builds tunnels for wastewater treatment plants. According to a news release from Environment and Climate Change Canada, drilling fluid and “sediment-laden waters” were released on two different occasions from...
Read MoreOntario Excess Soil Requirements for 2023
Environmental regulatory requirements for managing excess soil in Ontario have been on a government seesaw over the past year (O. Reg. 406/19: On-Site and Excess Soil Regulation or “Excess Soil Regulation”). In January 2022, contractors were scrambling to comply with the more-stringent soil management requirements. By April 21, 2022, these new requirements were officially paused by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). This temporary pause was...
Read MoreWindsor Battery Plant, Canadian Natural Resources, and Climate Adaptation Strategy
Canada Boosting Battery Production In our September 12, 2022, blog, we shared the news that Canada began supplying rare earth elements to help meet the needs of the burgeoning “green economy.” This focus seems to be paying dividends. A survey that ranks 30 countries in the battery-supply chain (mining to production) ranked Canada second. Previous rankings had Canada as number four. According to an article in the Financial Post, “Canada has announced more than $15 billion...
Read MoreRPRA Changes, “No” to Certain COP 27 Language, and CAIP Update
Below we look at some recent updates that may be important for the regulated community, both short- and long-term. We also provide an update on a program that affects the citizens of Canada. Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) A November 15, 2022, news release from RPRA announced that generators, carriers, and receivers of hazardous and liquid industrial waste can now set up their registry accounts so they are ready to meet their reporting requirements...
Read MoreMandatory Climate-Related Disclosures for Canadian Banks and Insurance
Canada introduced mandatory climate-related risk disclosures for federally-regulated banks and insurance companies beginning in 2024. This follows similar actions by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States as well as other countries in Europe. Banks and Insurance Companies Required to Report According to an article earlier this year in ESG Today, “Canada will require banks and insurance companies to provide disclosures on their climate-related...
Read MoreDraft Guidance for Reducing GHGs from Oil and Gas Sector
On October 4, 2022, The Canadian Government released their Draft Guidance for best-in-class GHG emissions performance by oil and gas projects. This has been anticipated since it was announced in April 2022. This announcement comes at a time of the confluence of several issues around traditional energy including the Government’s commitment to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gases 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050; an increased demand for reliable...
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