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Environmental Compliance Tips and Insights
If you have a question about an environmental compliance issue or would like us to address a specific environmental compliance concern in the future, please contact Christopher Paré, P.Geo., Q.P., at 519-948-7300, ext. 114. Are you managing excess soil? See our summary: Excess Soil Regulation by Province Environmental Compliance Tips and Insights 2026 April: Changes to the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations What will change to the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012, on June 30, 2026? The regulation...
read moreCuts at Environment Canada and Update to Regulating Plastics
The environmental regulatory playing field continues to change in response to economic conditions and court decisions. Economic or budget considerations have also affected Canada’s federal regulator. Cuts at Environment and Climate Change Canada The Canadian Federal Government is reducing the headcounts at several federal agencies. According to The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, the reductions affect Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Innovation,...
read morePFAS Enforcement and Other Environmental Violations
A recent environmental enforcement notification involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) garnered some interest, but it was not the largest environmental fine that was in the recent news cycle. Company and Environmental Director Fined As reported in January 2026 by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Superior General Partner Inc. was ordered by the Court of Québec to pay a $1,350,000 fine for violating the Fisheries Act. “Jean-François Roux, the plant’s technical and environmental director at the time of the...
read moreAuditor General Critical of Environmental Bill of Rights under Ford
In our January 13, 2026, blog, we discussed the recent agreement between Ontario and the Federal Government. This agreement is intended to streamline the environmental permitting process. Some groups were critical of the agreement, and now a report from the Auditor General of Ontario provides additional criticism of Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s environmental policies. Auditor General’s Criticism of Environmental Policies The Auditor General watches over the administration of Ontario’s finances to help the Legislature hold the government...
read moreOntario Cooperative Agreement with the Federal Government to Eliminate Duplication on Impact Assessments
The relatively short history of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), which was enacted in 2019, has been marked by controversy and two court decisions, one by the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC). The IAA provides for the assessment of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of major projects that are likely to have significant effects in areas of federal jurisdiction (dams, mines, ports, pipelines, etc.). The SCC’s decision (October 2023) essentially held that the IAA went too far, and portions of the IAA were unconstitutional. From...
read moreEnvironmental Issues Data Centers
Demand for computing power is rapidly surging, especially with the growth of Artificial Intelligence, or AI. This hunger for computing power likely means there will be more and larger data centers across Canada. Below, we look at the environmental issues associated with these data centers, including environmental permitting requirements. Canadian Energy Policy and AI Development In a recent report in Energy Reporters, they state, “Canada’s recent suspension of clean energy regulations, agreed upon by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta...
read moreMore Environmental Regulatory Changes: Single-Use Plastics
The National Single-Use Plastics ban was announced on October 7, 2020. Since the announcement, the plastics ban has faced legal challenges. As with many other environmental regulations, it appears there will be a change in the single-use plastic regulations. The reason behind the change came “following a review of the current policy landscape, global trade conditions, and domestic economic challenges” (in a post on “X” by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change). This change is part of a series of federal environmental regulatory...
read moreChanging Environmental Regulations and Potential Changes to Greenwashing
Driven by global competitiveness and the desire to increase investment in Canada, there have been several changes in federal and provincial environmental-related regulations. It now appears that the Canadian Competition Act, Greenwashing Rule, may be changing. Ontario Environmental Changes As we have discussed throughout the year, there have been several changes in Ontario’s approach to environmental regulations, as well as an emphasis on natural resources development, including: Amendments to Ontario’s Excess Soil Regulations and Records...
read moreEnvironmental Enforcement News
Staying compliant with provincial and federal environmental regulations can be challenging. One of the reasons we post monthly environmental compliance tips is to provide compliance reminders and updates to help avoid or limit instances of environmental enforcement. However, even the most diligent approach to environmental compliance can sometimes fall short. Below, we look at some recent environmental enforcement news that may provide some cautionary tales. Rain Event Leads to Potential Fine Trans Mountain is facing $292,000 in...
read moreChanges to Ontario’s Records of Site Condition and Excess Soil Regulations
As with many of the recent regulatory changes we have documented, the changes below (to Ontario’s Records of Site Condition and Excess Soil Regulation) seem intended to cut red tape, encourage development (including residential development), and spur economic growth. Records of Site Condition In our January 22, 2025, blog, we discussed proposed changes to Ontario’s Record of Site Conditions. On October 23, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks issued its decision. As we outlined in our January blog, there are two...
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