Drive Clean fines
How much should false information cost? Ontario’s Drive Clean program is intended to reduce air pollution by requiring motor vehicles to meet emission standards. An ongoing problem with the program is false information provided by owners or mechanics; maintaining the integrity of the p…
Continue reading the post titled Drive Clean finesGreen licence plates?
My Civic Hybrid was delighted to hear that the province is now promising to develop special plates and privileges for fuel efficient cars. Next year, my hybrid should be sporting a new Ontario Eco-licence plate. According to yesterday’s announcement, the Ontario government will consult with …
Continue reading the post titled Green licence plates?Tree Trimming
Mature trees add beauty and character to any neighbourhood, while providing cool shade in the summer, wildlife habitat and clean air. But trees can also cause tension between neighbours, particularly where they grow across property lines. With the increasingly intense “freak storms” that cli…
Continue reading the post titled Tree TrimmingShould we be shy?
Dianne has been honoured with yet another listing in an international directory of the world’s leading environmental lawyers. This time it is the second edition of the PLC Cross-Border Environment Handbook, being published by the Practical Law Company in London, England. Meanwhile, Dianne ha…
Continue reading the post titled Should we be shy?Environmental Penalties start today
The long-awaited Environmental Penalties Regulation, O.Reg. 222/07, comes into force today. This is an administrative penalties regime for environmental offences like the civil penalties widely used in the US. It has not previously been used in Ontario environmental law. In the new system, e…
Continue reading the post titled Environmental Penalties start todayRegulatory Blitz
The McGuinty government has adopted a blizzard of new and amended regulations this year. Since January, there have been 32 regulatory amendments or new regulations under the Environmental Protection Act; 2 under the Environmental Bill of Rights; 5 under the Environmental Assessment Act; 6 un…
Continue reading the post titled Regulatory BlitzThe Burnaby oil spill
The huge Burnaby oil spill will lead to fascinating and potentially important legal proceedings over the next few years. While we don’t yet know why the excavator didn’t know it was about to dig into a pipeline, likely cases include: • a Fisheries Act prosecution against one or more parties …
Continue reading the post titled The Burnaby oil spillThe clothesline debate 3
One reader has asked us: can municipalities prevent developers from putting clothesline restrictions in new subdivisions? Yes, they can. Section 51 of the Ontario Planning Act provides: 51 (17) The applicant shall provide the approval authority with the prescribed information showing, ……
Continue reading the post titled The clothesline debate 3The clothesline debate 2
We’ve had a wonderful response to our article about clotheslines and Ontario’s failure to use its Energy Conservation Leadership Act to wipe out clothesline restrictions in subdivision covenants and condo bylaws. (See July 12). We’ve been interviewed by CP and CTV, as well as reporters from …
Continue reading the post titled The clothesline debate 2Changes in Energy from Waste Approvals
This year’s changes to the approval process for energy from waste facilities has caused a commotion in Hamilton. In April 2004 the Government of Ontario announced its intent to acquire 2500 MW of privately funded renewable energy generation capacity. One of the responders, Liberty Energy, ha…
Continue reading the post titled Changes in Energy from Waste Approvals