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More 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...
read moreInvesting in Ontario’s Ring of Fire
In our May 7, 2025, blog, we discussed Ontario Bill 5, “The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act 2025.” The action taken in Bill 5 was “in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats of economic force against Canada…” One of the Key Measures of Bill 5 is to “Accelerate mining development in every part of the province.” With the recently announced investment in the infrastructure related to Ontario’s Ring of Fire, it appears Ontario is wasting little time in accelerating mining development activity. $61.8 Million...
read moreCanada’s Risk Management Approach for PFAS: Phase 1
As we covered in our March 11, 2025, blog, the Government of Canada introduced the Risk Management Approach to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. The approach includes three phases. Phase I of the Risk Management Approach was released on September 26, 2025. Phase 1 proposes to address all known remaining uses of PFAS that are not already regulated in firefighting foams that contain Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). Proposed Risk Management Plan for PFAS: Phase 1 The proposed regulatory framework for Phase 1 includes the...
read moreCommunities in Ontario Face Challenges from Historical Oil and Gas Wells
Across southwestern Ontario, there are an estimated 27,000 inactive oil and gas wells. These historical oil and gas exploration wells, along with the environmental, health, and safety risks they pose, are receiving increased attention. Abandoned Well Increases Project Cost A September 18, 2025, article discussed how these often-unidentified wells affect projects. In 2024, Lambton County, Ontario, allocated $125,000 to replace underground fuel storage tanks with aboveground tanks. During the project, soil and groundwater contamination...
read moreOntario 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...
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