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Are You Prepared for these Toxic Substance Prohibitions?
As we mentioned in our April Environmental Compliance Tip, on June 30, 2026, Canada will enact new prohibitions under the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012. While at first glance, the list of substances may not look familiar, these substances may be in products that you are currently using. 2025 Toxic Substance Prohibitions The updated Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025, will prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, and import of certain toxic substances (including PFAS) and products containing...
read moreEnvironmental 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 May: Small Quantity Waste Generators in Ontario What is the definition of a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) in Ontario? An operator of a waste generation facility that produces a total of...
read moreCompany and Directors Fined, Decades-Long Release Reported
As we pointed out in our recent blog post, a second cosmetics company was fined for using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its consumer products. While PFAS regulations continue to develop, as well as risks associated with PFAS, traditional enforcement actions have been in the news. Below, we look at some environmental enforcement actions that include individuals being fined, as well as a decades-long release. Company and Directors Fined A “numbered company” (11705580 Canada Inc.) and its directors were fined in excess of...
read moreThe Elevated PFAS Liability in Canada
The regulatory framework for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to develop on the federal level and, to a lesser extent, on the provincial level. As you may recall, there have been two recent enforcement actions against cosmetic companies for the use of PFAS in their products. Developing more quickly is litigation, including many class action lawsuits involving PFAS. Significant Proposed or Pending Class Actions Involving PFAS In 2024, the British Columbia government filed a proposed national class action in the Supreme...
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...
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