December (2015) – Environmental Compliance Approval How do I know if the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) will require that I obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for a discharge from my facility? The bar is pretty low for requiring an ECA in Ontario. According to the MOECC, “If a business’s activities impact the natural environment, that business needs an approval from the Ministry of the Environment (and Climate Change) to operate...
Read MoreUS Election Results and Canadian Environmental Expectations
Trade between Canada and the United States (U.S.) is a pretty big deal for both countries. In fact, when you look at 15 of Canada’s top import partners, the US accounts for more than 75% of Canadian imports. So when national elections occur on either side of the border, those in business pay attention. With the US Presidential election now in the books, what are the potential implications as they relate to environmental issues? While we’ll all learn more after...
Read MoreMicrobead Regulations Published in Canada Gazette
One of the lessons you learn early if you are involved in the environmental compliance world is that just because something isn’t regulated today, doesn’t mean it won’t be regulated tomorrow. Over a year ago, we shared with you the forthcoming changes regarding microbeads in Canada, “Legislating Changes in Microbead Use in Canada.” Microbeads were once not only permissible, but were widely used in consumer products, such as facial scrubs and toothpastes. Now microbeads...
Read MoreEmergency Planning Regulations in Canada
The Environmental Emergency Regulations in Canada date back several years. These regulations, as you likely know, are undergoing some changes. To date, there have been no shortage of comments from the regulated community regarding the potential amendments to the regulations (see summary of comments as of October 6, 2016). Do these regulations apply to your company, and should you be concerned about these proposed amendments? At a minimum, you should be aware of the...
Read MoreEnvironmental Enforcement Roundup
Several times each year, we provide some of our observations on environmental enforcement. The enforcement actions are owed to a variety of reasons from accidents, to oversight, to regulatory confusion, to what might be described as “self-inflicted.” With this said, here are some of our observations. Environmental Enforcement at a Refinery An oil refinery in Sarnia, Ontario, was fined $812,000 for an incident that resulted in a release of hydrogen sulfide. According to...
Read MoreRegulatory Deadline for End-of-Life Vehicle Facilities
When an automobile reaches the end of its useful life, it faces the same relative fate all of the materials that we use face; they are disposed and, where applicable, recycled. Unlike simple household trash, disposal of vehicles poses a bit more of a challenge. The countless parts and components that are in our automobiles can pose an environmental threat if not properly managed. The various fluids, switches (that may contain mercury), paints and coatings (that may...
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