Is it Enough to Meet MOE Standards?
Two Ontario cases in the last year decided that it’s not enough to meet MOE standards. One is Berendsen v. the Queen (see February 1). The other is Dawber v. Director, Ministry of the Environment. In Dawber, Lafarge obtained MOE approval to burn waste tires as fuel in its cement kiln. Lafarg…
View the post titled Is it Enough to Meet MOE Standards?Is it better to pay taxes on income or on pollution?
For forty years, Canadian environmental law has tried to defeat economics. That is, we have forbidden people and businesses from doing things that save them money, and commanded them to do things that cost money. In the circumstances, it’s amazing that we’ve accomplished so much: air is clea…
View the post titled Is it better to pay taxes on income or on pollution?Three Cheers for BC!
It is basic economics and good common sense: to discourage something, make it more expensive. And vice versa. So why does Canada put heavy taxes on things we do want (like employment) and no taxes on things we don’t want (like pollution)? For years, economists and environmentalists hav…
View the post titled Three Cheers for BC!Who's Best of the Best?
We’re proud to announce that Dianne has been named one of the world’s top 25 environmental lawyers by Euromoney. In their words: Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers – Best of the Best 2008 Dear Ms. Saxe I write regarding the Expert Guides to the World’s Leading…
View the post titled Who's Best of the Best?Berendsen Changes the Rules for Contaminated Sites
Every so often, a court decision changes the rules. Everyone interested in contaminated sites needs to understand what Berendsen v. Ontario has changed.At first glance, there is nothing unusual about the facts. Farmer buys land for dream dairy farm. The cows become sick; he loses money. He b…
View the post titled Berendsen Changes the Rules for Contaminated SitesCommunity Right to Know – Will it Work?
Toronto Public Health still has some questions to answer about its proposed, precedent-setting Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw. For example:1. The City needs to deal explicitly with the fact that many sources of local ambient air pollution are located outside the City, and there…
View the post titled Community Right to Know – Will it Work?10 Things You Need to Know About Contaminated Sites
A frightening amount of money is spent every year in litigation and other anguish over contaminated sites. In terms of harm to human health and the environment, contaminated sites are far less important than clean air, clean water, climate change and urban sprawl. But because of the regulato…
View the post titled 10 Things You Need to Know About Contaminated SitesInvestigation v. Inspection
An appeal court has confirmed it again: an inspection can continue while an investigation is underway, but investigators must be able to prove that they did not use any information from such an inspection. In R. v. Crown Cork and Seal, the Ministry of the Environment investigator met with a…
View the post titled Investigation v. InspectionOntario Moving Towards Ban on Cosmetic Use of Pesticides
Following the lead blazed by the City of Toronto and other municipalities, the Ontario government has promised to adopt “New legislation [to] ban the cosmetic use of pesticides in cities and towns.” Now, until February 17, 2008, it is seeking public comments on how the ban should work.…
View the post titled Ontario Moving Towards Ban on Cosmetic Use of PesticidesComputers in Law Offices: Good or Bad for the Environment?
How do computers affect the environmental footprint of law offices?It’s easy to add up the negatives. Computers and their peripherals (printers, modems, cables, hubs, etc.) have large resource demands, pollute indoor air and create hazardous waste. Computers chew up power, paper and ot…
View the post titled Computers in Law Offices: Good or Bad for the Environment?Receive Blog Posts
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