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Ontario Blue Box Requirements Undergo Change
As we mentioned in our June 10, 2025, blog, both the federal and provincial governments are changing their environmental focus. This trend continues with changes to Ontario’s Blue Box regulations. Background on Ontario’s Blue Box Program On April 14, 2022, O. Reg. 349/22: Blue Box, under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, was amended. These amendments were scheduled to take effect in 2026. The Blue Box Regulations would have (among other things) required producers to expand the collection of blue box materials. These...
read moreProvincial and Federal Efforts to Boost Natural Resource Development
As we wrote in our May 7, 2025, blog, Ontario Bill 5 (“The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act 2025”) is intended to, among other things, accelerate natural resource development in every part of the province. While likely unrelated to Bill 5, it was recently announced that the Marathon Palladium Project got its final (Ontario) provincial permit. As Northern Ontario Business put it, “It’s been a long time coming.” Generation Mining president and CEO Jamie Levy said: “With this final permit, Generation believes that the Marathon...
read moreWater and Air Environmental Violations and Construction-Related Environmental Violations
Initial environmental work to prepare for site development can be complicated. It can include Phase I/II assessments, Record of Site Conditions, Environmental Compliance Approvals, and more. The challenge can often be maintaining environmental compliance in the ensuing years to avoid environmental violations. Below, we look at environmental violations involving manufacturing operations and construction activity. Water and Air Environmental Violations Though idle since 2024, a paper mill recently settled past environmental violations. AV...
read moreAbandoned Oil and Gas Exploration Wells: A Hidden Environmental and Human Health Risk
Each month, we provide an environmental compliance tip that is based on provincial and federal regulations. However, there are environmental risks that are not covered by existing regulations, including risks associated with historical (abandoned) oil and gas exploration wells. An Explosion The issue of the potential significant risks associated with abandoned oil and gas wells drew public attention in 2021. In downtown Wheatley, Ontario, there was a hydrogen sulphide gas explosion (August 26, 2021). The explosion hospitalized seven and...
read moreFinal Greenwashing Guidelines Create Business Risks
Updating our January 31, 2025, blog regarding Environmental Claims and the Competition Act, the Competition Bureau Canada (the Bureau) has released the final version (June 5, 2025) of its guidelines on “Environmental Claims and the Competition Act” (The Act). In general, these “anti-greenwashing” provisions prohibit businesses from making representations about the environmental benefit of a product, business, or business activity that are not based on “adequate testing.” Importantly, business activity includes charitable or non-profit...
read moreMandatory Federal Plastics Registry Reporting
Canada’s mandatory reporting under the Federal Plastics Registry begins on September 29, 2025 (Phase 1). Phase 1 reporting is based on 2024 data. The regulated community has anticipated reporting under the Federal Plastics Registry since the Government of Canada issued a notice on April 20, 2024. With Phase 1 reporting just around the corner, it is a good time to see if you are required to report in September. Phase 1 Reporting under the Federal Plastics Registry Phase 1 targets products entering the residential waste stream. Producers...
read moreEnvironmental Violations and Negligence
The ever-changing environmental regulatory landscape complicates environmental compliance. This dynamic nature of environmental regulations is one of the reasons we provide monthly reminders in our environmental compliance tips. Human error is a common cause of violations, but negligence (intentional or unintentional) can also exacerbate violations, as evident in some of the enforcement cases below. Oil Spill at Ontario Poultry Processing Facility An accidental spill of oil that subsequently impacted a stream resulted in two convictions...
read moreChanging Federal and Provincial Environmental Focus
With new leadership in Ottawa and growing global economic pressures, governance at the federal and provincial levels appears to be changing. These changes, if finalized, will likely affect several environmental policies. Federal Environmental Policy Changes Going in to the recent election cycle, Mark Carney was known as a strong advocate for net zero and other programs focused on the climate. A March article in Covering Climate Now states, “Carney has repeatedly stated that the vast majority of Earth’s remaining reserves of oil, gas, and...
read moreCanada Changes Course on Climate-Related Disclosures
Several of our blogs over the past few years have discussed the increased focus on mandatory climate-related disclosures and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). This trend has taken a sharp turn in recent months, including an announcement by the Canadian Security Administrators (CSA). On April 23, 2025, the CSA announced, “The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is pausing its work on the development of a new mandatory climate-related disclosure rule and amendments to the existing diversity-related disclosure requirements. ...
read moreOntario Responds to Tariffs with Focus on Resource Development
As global demand for natural resources continues to grow, countries rich in those deposits are looking for ways to responsibly develop these resources. This demand and the increased trade pressures appear to be the impetus for recent proposed Ontario legislation. On April 17, 2025, the Ontario Government announced Bill 5, “The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act 2025.” In a Technical Briefing by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, they state that the action is, “in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats of...
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