With the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Cap and Trade plan now a reality in Ontario, we are beginning to learn about some of the details. The recently released “Climate Change Action Plan” includes eight specific “action areas” that clearly indicate GHG Cap and Trade will affect virtually everyone in Ontario. The action areas are: Transportation Buildings and homes Land-use planning Industry and business Collaboration with Indigenous communities Research and development Government...
Read MoreChemicals Management Plan Update
The regulated community has been seemingly overwhelmed with news of environmental regulatory changes of late. Last month we shared with you the new cap-and-trade regulations (for Ontario) and the associated deadlines. Now we turn our attention to the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). It was about a year and a half ago, the fall of 2014, when my colleague, Christopher Paré, mentioned that the third phase of the CMP would run from 2016-2020 (CMP Phase 1...
Read MoreDespite Calls for Change – GHG Cap and Trade is Here
The regulated community knew the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulation and associated Cap and Trade regulation were looming, but many hoped there would be more time, and even some moderation, in the regulations. Last fall, we discussed the developing regulatory issues as they relate to GHGs in Ontario (Ontario’s GHG Cap and Trade Program Takes Shape). We suggested then that this could be a “big deal” for the regulated community. In a May 12th letter from the Ontario Chamber of...
Read MoreNew Proposed Environmental Enforcement Tool
As you are likely aware by now, the Canadian federal government published proposed changes to the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act (EVAMPA); see Canada Gazette, April 9, 2016. Currently, federal environmental officer’s enforcement tools include issuance of written warnings, tickets, compliance orders, or proceed with prosecution. However, under the proposed changes to EVAMPA, there is a new tool for federal environmental enforcement officers: ...
Read MoreRegulating Methane in Canada
With the COP 21 Paris Climate Change Conference as the backdrop, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama have agreed to focus on the reduction of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. According to a report in the Globe and Mail, “The federal government will impose regulations to cut methane emissions in the oil and gas industry by as much as 45 per cent as part of a bilateral climate deal announced Thursday during Prime Minister...
Read MoreCanada’s 2016 Budget and the Environment
Like many of you, I have been reviewing the Canadian 2016 Budget but focusing on how it might impact the “environmental world.” I focused my attention on reviewing Chapter 4 – A Clean Growth Economy. Much of the focus seems to be on somewhat esoteric issues, such as the “green economy” and the “low-carbon economy,” which are difficult to quantify, at least currently. Environmental Focus in Budget However, within Chapter 4 is “Securing a Cleaner, More Sustainable...
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