2020 was a year like no other. COVID led to changes in just about every aspect of our lives, including how regulators enforced environmental rules. Not that enforcement is currently on holiday, but we do expect more attention on environmental matters as the economy recovers. “Weakened Environmental Rules” A recent study from the University of Calgary looked at “weakened environmental rules” under the pandemic. The author noted that “across Canada, the most common moves...
Read MoreProposed updates to Records of Site Condition – Part 2
On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted three proposals on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (for Records of Site Condition). The proposals were posted for comments from Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, and stakeholders. The comment period for these documents is open until April 4, 2021. We are again looking at just a portion of the 82-page document. For details, see Records of Site Condition: A Guide on Site...
Read MoreProposed updates to Records of Site Condition Part 1: Excess Soils
On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted three proposals on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The proposals are open for comments from Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, and stakeholders until April 4, 2021. The three documents, listed below, provide guidance to support the brownfields program. Proposed updates to Records of Site Condition: A Guide on Site Assessment, the Cleanup of Brownfield Sites and the Filing of...
Read MoreEnvironmental Policies and Pipelines
Environmental issues affect just about every aspect of our lives and our economy. And when your largest trading partner lives next door, their environmental policies can significantly impact your life – some more than others. While the relations between Canada and the US have their ups and downs, in general we are friendly neighbours and trading partners. One area where there has been some recent strife involves pipelines, including Keystone XL Pipeline. On his first day...
Read More2021 Environmental Enforcement News in Canada is Underway
Environmental Enforcement news in Canada has kicked off 2021 with a significant penalty. The events that led to the settlements below occurred a few years ago, but the settlements happened in 2021. $675,000 Settlement Environment and Climate Change Canada reports, “On January 21, 2021, the Compagnie d’Arrimage de Québec Ltée pleaded guilty in the Court of Quebec in the District of Québec to one count of contravening the Fisheries Act. The company was fined $100,000. In...
Read MoreEnvironmental Release to Air and Issues with Odours
An article from last summer discusses why environmental management is a great educational/career path this way, “You can change the world for the better.” That’s a nice sound bite for university recruiting, but perhaps a bit idealistic. Nowhere in university recruiting material are you likely to find them promoting the often mundane reporting requirements, limited budgets with increased responsibilities, or the headaches when, despite your best efforts, you have to deal...
Read More