Below we look at three different spills that occurred over the summer of 2022 in Ontario. As we discuss, any and all environmental incidents such as spills can create strains for the local citizens and ecosystem. That said, there have been tremendous improvements in environmental management that have resulted in a decrease in the number of spills and quantity of spills. Saint Marys River In June, there was a spill of lubricant oil reported from Algoma Steel in Sault...
Read MoreOntario’s Emission Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gases
The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) announced on August 26, 2022, proposed amendments to Ontario’s Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) to regulate greenhouse gas. See Environmental Registry of Ontario Number 019-5769. Also, see “Proposed Regulatory Amendments for Emissions Performance Standards Program 2023-2030 Summer 2022.” These changes are necessary to comply with the federal Output-Based Pricing System. The official proposal summary states,...
Read MoreCanada Begins Supplying Rare Earth Elements
As reported by the CBC earlier this year, “Canada has begun supplying the world with minerals critical to a greener economy with the country’s first rare earth mine delivering concentrated ore.” With rising demand, we will likely see more investments in rare earth mining in Canada. The reason rare earth elements are in great demand is related to the products in which they are used. These products include solar panels, wind turbines, electric cars, cellular phones, and...
Read MorePlastic Ban Schedule and Legal Challenges and PFAS Developments
In our past blogs, we have shared news regarding the effort to ban certain plastics. This restriction on plastics in Canada was made official and announced in a June 20, 2022, News Release. A group of manufacturing companies is seeking to overturn this ban. According to an article in Plastics News, “A coalition of plastics companies has sued to block Canada’s ban on six single-use plastic products, challenging Ottawa’s decision to declare them ‘toxic’ and prohibit...
Read MoreFarmers Protest over Federal Nitrogen Policy
Farmers in several countries including Canada are protesting. In at least one instance overseas, a farming policy led to a chaotic result. The overriding concern seems to be fear that government policies are going to interfere with the farmers’ ability to produce enough food to meet growing global demands. What is going on and why are they protesting? As reported in the Toronto Sun on July 22, 2022, “Last week, Canadian news reports told of farm-related protests...
Read MoreCanada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit Program Launched
On June 8, 2022, Canada launched “Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System.” According to a News Release, “The offset system will give municipalities, foresters, farmers, Indigenous communities, and others a market-based incentive to undertake innovative projects that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) by preventing emissions and removing GHGs from the atmosphere.” Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System consists of the following: Regulations...
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