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Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks Proposing Four New Initiatives
The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) is proposing four new initiatives. According to the MECP these initiatives include: Providing better tools and creating clear and consistent guidelines for municipalities that they may use to make land-use planning decisions that will reduce noise and odour impacts from industry. Proposing guidance on how industrial facilities, development proponents, and other members of the regulated community can anticipate, prevent, and address odour issues. Updating the ministry’s...
read moreHazardous and Special Products Regulation Comes into Force on July 1st
The current Ontario Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) Program (2008) is scheduled to come to an end. Replacing it (July 1, 2021) will be the Hazardous and Special Products regulation (under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 [RRCEA]). Products Affected by the Regulation According to the Environmental Registry of Ontario, “We have finalized the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) regulation that will make producers of hazardous and special products, including paints, pesticides, solvents, oil filters, oil...
read moreUpdates on PFAS in Canada, Regulating Plastics, and a Diamond Mine Fine
An update to our May 3rd blog where we discussed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and a recent report of a release. In that blog, we shared news about a PFAS release. From our May 3rd blog, “Here is what we know about the site impacted by PFAS. Nine properties have been provided bottled water for cooking and drinking as the Department of National Defence addresses the presence PFAS substances near 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay.” We also stated that PFAS in Canada was not as prominent of an environmental issue as it has...
read morePlastic Manufactured Items are Now Toxic Under CEPA
Certain plastic-manufactured items in Canada are now considered a toxic substance under Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). For environmental groups this is a victory. For industry groups it is a point of frustration. Plastics have proven to be incredibly useful across industries for decades. They reduce weight in cars (increasing gas mileage), protect and preserve foods, and make packing lighter for transportation, they are used in electronics from televisions to computers and cell phones, and protect athletes...
read moreManaging Excess Soils at Aggregates and Quarries in Ontario
Funded, but not endorsed by the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP), was a recent report “Best Management Practices for Aggregate Pit and Quarry Rehabilitation in Ontario.” The document was developed in March 2021 by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. BMP for Excess Soils The purpose of the document is stated as “The BMPs are intended to assist Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, aggregate licensees, and operators in evaluating options for using excess soils to rehabilitate pits and quarries in a safe,...
read morePFAS Contamination and Release to Lake Ontario
In their 1971 song, “Don’t Go Near the Water” the Beach Boys decided to get more political. This was nothing like their other offerings as it tackled the issue of water pollution. Water, clean water in particular is essential for every aspect of human existence. While we have advanced tremendously in environmental protection since 1971, we cannot rest on our accomplishments. PFAS Found Near Canadian Military Base PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance have been a little under the radar in Canada. My colleagues in Michigan have been...
read moreEnvironmental Progress at Lake Simcoe
Tracing the roots of environmental protection, we can point to early efforts in the 1800s and early 1900s such as establishing the Canadian Forestry Association in 1900,.but it was in the 1960s and 1970s when the framework for our current environmental protection was established. Environment and Climate Change Canada was founded in 1971 then referred to as the Department of the Environment. Since this time, we have seen an increased focus on environmental protection. It is easy to lose sight of the progress we have made over the past 50...
read more“Weakened Environmental Rules,” COVID, and a Strengthening Economy
2020 was a year like no other. COVID led to changes in just about every aspect of our lives, including how regulators enforced environmental rules. Not that enforcement is currently on holiday, but we do expect more attention on environmental matters as the economy recovers. “Weakened Environmental Rules” A recent study from the University of Calgary looked at “weakened environmental rules” under the pandemic. The author noted that “across Canada, the most common moves were to defer fees or extend timelines for reporting requirements. Few...
read moreProposed updates to Records of Site Condition – Part 2
On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted three proposals on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (for Records of Site Condition). The proposals were posted for comments from Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, and stakeholders. The comment period for these documents is open until April 4, 2021. We are again looking at just a portion of the 82-page document. For details, see Records of Site Condition: A Guide on Site Assessment, the Cleanup of Brownfield Sites. On March 10, 2021, we...
read moreProposed updates to Records of Site Condition Part 1: Excess Soils
On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted three proposals on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The proposals are open for comments from Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, and stakeholders until April 4, 2021. The three documents, listed below, provide guidance to support the brownfields program. Proposed updates to Records of Site Condition: A Guide on Site Assessment, the Cleanup of Brownfield Sites and the Filing of Records of Site Condition (RSC Guide) Proposed updates to the...
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