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Draft Guidance for Reducing GHGs from Oil and Gas Sector
On October 4, 2022, The Canadian Government released their Draft Guidance for best-in-class GHG emissions performance by oil and gas projects. This has been anticipated since it was announced in April 2022. This announcement comes at a time of the confluence of several issues around traditional energy including the Government’s commitment to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gases 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050; an increased demand for reliable energy, especially in Europe; and the battle between the Canadian federal...
read moreRecent Spills in Ontario
Below we look at three different spills that occurred over the summer of 2022 in Ontario. As we discuss, any and all environmental incidents such as spills can create strains for the local citizens and ecosystem. That said, there have been tremendous improvements in environmental management that have resulted in a decrease in the number of spills and quantity of spills. Saint Marys River In June, there was a spill of lubricant oil reported from Algoma Steel in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario. A report from SooToday states, “The substance that...
read moreOntario’s Emission Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gases
The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) announced on August 26, 2022, proposed amendments to Ontario’s Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) to regulate greenhouse gas. See Environmental Registry of Ontario Number 019-5769. Also, see “Proposed Regulatory Amendments for Emissions Performance Standards Program 2023-2030 Summer 2022.” These changes are necessary to comply with the federal Output-Based Pricing System. The official proposal summary states, “We are proposing changes to the Emissions Performance Standards...
read moreCanada Begins Supplying Rare Earth Elements
As reported by the CBC earlier this year, “Canada has begun supplying the world with minerals critical to a greener economy with the country’s first rare earth mine delivering concentrated ore.” With rising demand, we will likely see more investments in rare earth mining in Canada. The reason rare earth elements are in great demand is related to the products in which they are used. These products include solar panels, wind turbines, electric cars, cellular phones, and more. Canada, abundant in natural resources, including rare earth...
read morePlastic Ban Schedule and Legal Challenges and PFAS Developments
In our past blogs, we have shared news regarding the effort to ban certain plastics. This restriction on plastics in Canada was made official and announced in a June 20, 2022, News Release. A group of manufacturing companies is seeking to overturn this ban. According to an article in Plastics News, “A coalition of plastics companies has sued to block Canada’s ban on six single-use plastic products, challenging Ottawa’s decision to declare them ‘toxic’ and prohibit them.” The article continues, “There is no credible evidence that any of...
read moreFarmers Protest over Federal Nitrogen Policy
Farmers in several countries including Canada are protesting. In at least one instance overseas, a farming policy led to a chaotic result. The overriding concern seems to be fear that government policies are going to interfere with the farmers’ ability to produce enough food to meet growing global demands. What is going on and why are they protesting? As reported in the Toronto Sun on July 22, 2022, “Last week, Canadian news reports told of farm-related protests erupting across the country — including one that saw a slow roll convoy head...
read moreCanada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit Program Launched
On June 8, 2022, Canada launched “Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System.” According to a News Release, “The offset system will give municipalities, foresters, farmers, Indigenous communities, and others a market-based incentive to undertake innovative projects that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) by preventing emissions and removing GHGs from the atmosphere.” Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System consists of the following: Regulations to implement the operational aspects of the system; Federal offset...
read morePlastics Ban, Environmental Enforcement, and Algae Blooms
Below, we look at a few recent environmental developments (federal and provincial). In our blogs, we often refer back to previous blogs we have written on a similar topic. If you would like to look for a specific topic that we may have covered in a past blog, you can use the search function, which is on the right-hand side of our blog page. Certain Plastics Banned in Canada As mentioned in our January 12, 2022, blog (The Complexity of Canada’s Plastics Ban), the Canadian Government is moving forward with the ban on certain types of...
read moreNew Offshore Oil Project Approved and a $15 Million Fine
The “tension” of energy needs and climate concerns was recently on display. A June 10, 2022, press release from the Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding Canadian Environment Week read, “As the celebrations for Canadian Environment Week end, we are reminded that we have only one Earth. From the Torngat Mountains on the Labrador Peninsula to Haida Gwaii on the Pacific Ocean, from Point Pelee in Lake Erie to Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan all the way to Iqaluit in Nunavut, Canada makes a signature...
read moreExpenditures on Environmental Protection in Canada
Environmental protection has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. Likewise, Canadian citizens seem more attuned to environmental protection. Brief History of Canadian Environmental Protection Awareness and concern about the environment dates back to the 1800s and the work of ecologist, John Muir. The Water Survey of Canada was established in 1908 and the Canadian Wildlife Service was founded in 1947. However, the modern environmental protection efforts were founded in the 1970s and Environment Canada was created in 1971....
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