In 2024, we noted several environmental regulatory developments. In our final blog for the year, we are providing some reminders regarding regulatory changes and some quickly approaching reporting requirements. We begin with the news of a new Federal Environmental Agency.
New Standalone Water Agency
The Canada Water Agency (Agency) was on an interim basis within the Environment and Climate Change Canada. They are now a standalone agency, headquartered in Winnipeg with five regional offices across Canada.
Once fully staffed, the Agency will have approximately 220 employees nationwide. It was funded by a $650-million investment outlined in Budget 2023. The agency will also have $85.1 million in funding over five years, with $21 million ongoing thereafter (Source Environmental Science and Engineering Magazine).
The agency will work to improve freshwater management in Canada by, “providing leadership, effective collaboration federally, and improved coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples to address transboundary freshwater challenges and opportunities.”
See: Standalone Canada Water Agency launches
There were several provincial and federal environmental regulatory developments in 2024 (Photo by Ampersand Studios on Unsplash).
Amendments to Ontario’s Excess Soil Regulations Final
As we shared on October 31, 2024, Ontario’s Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks proposed several amendments to the Excess Soil Regulations. On December 18, 2024, the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority announced that the proposed changes are now final. Importantly, the restriction on landfilling soil was delayed until January 1, 2027. See our October blog for details.
Plastics Reporting Begins in 2025
Reporting under the Federal Plastics Registry will begin in 2025. We covered this in blogs throughout the year, most recently in our December 17, 2024, blog.
This reporting requirement applies to all plastic resins and plastic products set out in Parts 1 through 4 of the notice in Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 16. It applies to items that are manufactured in Canada, imported into Canada, or placed on the market in Canada.
See the April 4, 2024 Notice in Canada Gazette for details on the products and chemicals that are included.
Mandatory PFAS Reporting January 2025
This reporting requirement is just weeks away and carries with it, some hefty penalties for non-compliance. From our September 3, 2024, blog: “The notice requires regulated companies who manufactured, imported, or used prescribed quantities of listed types of PFAS in Canada to report by January 29, 2025. Failure to meet the deadline can result in fines of up to $500,000 for the first offence and $1,000,000 for subsequent offences.”
In our November 2024 Environmental Compliance Tip, we provided a list of product categories that are potentially affected by the new requirement.
Other Environmental Regulatory Developments
There have been several other important environmental developments over the past year including efforts to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the passage of Bill C-59, and Guideline B-15: Climate Risk Management.
We will continue to monitor federal and provincial environmental regulatory developments as well as enforcement efforts in 2025.
Environmental Assistance
We look forward to opportunities to assist you with reporting, permitting, management of excess soil, site assessments/remediation, or litigation support. If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Paré, P.Geo., Q.P., at 519-948-7300, Ext. 114.
Dragun Corporation does not use artificial intelligence in drafting our blogs or any other material.
Alan Hahn drafted this blog. Alan has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and completed a graduate program in Environmental Management. He has worked in environmental management for more than 45 years. He has written hundreds of blogs and articles. His published work includes HazMat Magazine, BizX Magazine, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, GreenStone Partners, Manure Manager Magazine, and Progressive Dairy.
Christopher Paré, P.Geo, reviewed this blog. Chris is a senior geoscientist and manager of Dragun’s Windsor, Ontario, office. Chris has more than 30 years of experience on projects ranging from environmental site assessments (Phase One/Two ESA), excess soils, remedial investigations, soil and groundwater remediation, Permits to Take Water, Records of Site Conditions, vapour intrusion, and site decommissioning. Chris is a frequent speaker, author, and expert witness. See Chris’ bio.
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