Banning sludge spreading?
The Québec Court of Appeal has struck down a municipal bylaw banning the spreading of sludge, on the ground that it exceeds the municipality’s jurisdiction.
View the post titled Banning sludge spreading?Pollution from distant source a nuisance?
The legal category of nuisance may be easier to use for long distance air pollution after a recent comment by the Ontario Court of Appeal. In Antrim Truck Centre Ltd. v. Ontario (Transportation), 2011 ONCA 419 (CanLII), Justice Epstein ruled that nuisance claims can be successfully made, no …
View the post titled Pollution from distant source a nuisance?Short term gain, long term pain
The city of Toronto has gone through paroxysms in the last few weeks to cut less than $28 million from the city’s budget. All environmental programs are still under review for possible cuts, including those efforts to help the city adapt to climate change. It’s therefore worth re…
View the post titled Short term gain, long term painClean capitalism- the winners
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2012 Clean 50 List for “Outstanding contributors to clean capitalism”. This is an annual competition run by Delta Management. The winners include: Premier Dalton McGuinty and Vicky Sharp, in Public Sector and Politicians. Geoff Cape for his leadershi…
View the post titled Clean capitalism- the winnersYes, TCE is a carcinogen
After 22 years of study, and intense political maneuvering, the US Environmental Protection Agency has formally classified TCE (trichloroethene, also called trichloroethylene) as a carcinogen, as well as a non-cancer hazard to human health. The assessment is now a formal part of the the Inte…
View the post titled Yes, TCE is a carcinogenMunicipality can require waterfront greening to protect water
The St. Charles Lake provides half the potable water used by Québec City. When nutrients from human activity began to create plagues of toxic bacteria, the City enacted a by-law requiring owners of lakefront property to put in 10-15 metre buffer zones comprised of trees, bushes and other pl…
View the post titled Municipality can require waterfront greening to protect waterSelf-incrimination when they make you talk
The police cannot force someone to talk and then use the answers against them; can environmental regulators do so? The courts have always allowed them to, but now the rules are changing.
View the post titled Self-incrimination when they make you talkShana tova
We want to wish a sweet and happy Jewish new year (Rosh Hashana) to all our friends and colleagues. May the year to come be full of blessings, including something useful to do, interesting people to do it with, and enough progress to keep hope and enthusiasm alive. Shana tova tiketavu!
View the post titled Shana tovaParty platforms on environmental issues
I hope that environmental issues matter when you decide how to vote. Here is an impartial analysis of all the major Ontario parties’ positions on key environmental issues, to help you prepare for the provincial election on October 6.
View the post titled Party platforms on environmental issuesEnvironment Canada: more cuts, less science?
Sometimes, it feels like the 1990s again. In both Canada and the US, budget shortfalls and political preferences are resulting in significant cuts to environmental scientists and regulators. For example, Environment Canada has announced that its current round of cuts will eliminate approxima…
View the post titled Environment Canada: more cuts, less science?Receive Blog Posts
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