Crowdfunding to defend anti-fracking bylaw
The tiny Québec village of Ristigouche-Sud-Est, population 168, is crowdfunding to pay for the defence of its anti-fracking by-law, intended to protect municipal drinking water. Ristigouche is reportedly one of more than 70 Québec municipalities that have adopted anti-fracking bylaws to prot…
Continue reading the post titled Crowdfunding to defend anti-fracking bylawImpact of Tim Hortons’ deal on franchisees remains to be seen
Siskinds partner Peter Dillon wrote an article for Advocatedaily.com regarding the recently proposed Burger King – Tim Horton’s transaction and the potential impact it could have on franchisees.Full article, published on AdvocateDaily below. We’ve all heard the axioms that “nothi…
Continue reading the post titled Impact of Tim Hortons’ deal on franchisees remains to be seenNew Human Rights Commission Policy on Mental Health and Addiction
I recently sat in on a presentation by a large benefits administrator, which focused on the top 5 categories of medical conditions resulting in disability claims. For both short and long term absences, at or near the top of that list are mental health issues. Mental health issues are often t…
Continue reading the post titled New Human Rights Commission Policy on Mental Health and AddictionInnovative illustration of the climate change consensus
In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded: “It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century.” Skeptical Science, a website dedicating to explaining “wha…
Continue reading the post titled Innovative illustration of the climate change consensusMunicipal Anti-Wind By-Laws Inoperative
Another Ontario municipality’s attempts to block wind energy development have been thrown out by the courts. Municipalities cannot use anti-wind by-laws to frustrate Renewable Energy Approvals (REA), under the Green Energy Act, S.O. 2009, c. 12 (“Green Energy Act”).
Continue reading the post titled Municipal Anti-Wind By-Laws InoperativeShould Energy Board consider climate before approving pipelines?
Can, and should, the National Energy Board consider climate impacts before approving oil pipelines? The federal government says no, objectors say yes. Now the courts must decide.
Continue reading the post titled Should Energy Board consider climate before approving pipelines?Should Children Have a Right to a Healthy Environment?
On June 17, 2014, several environmental groups in New Brunswick circulated for comment a draft environmental bill of rights for children. Called “A Bill of Rights to Protect Children’s Health from Environmental Hazards,” it is the first of its kind in Canada. If passed, the law would confer …
Continue reading the post titled Should Children Have a Right to a Healthy Environment?Millions for offsite gasoline contamination
The Ontario Superior Court has awarded millions to a neighbouring property owner for historic offsite gasoline contamination. The decision in Canadian Tire Real Estate Ltd. v. Huron Concrete Supply Ltd. illustrates, and will perpetuate, the continuing confusion over liability for off site gr…
Continue reading the post titled Millions for offsite gasoline contaminationWind opponents lose health challenges around the world
A recent report by the Energy and Policy Institute documents the rejection of anti-wind health claims by 48 courts and tribunals in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the US. In one anomalous US case, two turbines which had had a known problem were ordered to be shut d…
Continue reading the post titled Wind opponents lose health challenges around the worldToronto zoning change to promote Tower Renewal
Toronto contains the second largest concentration of high-rise apartments in North America. Most were built half a century ago, during the City’s post-war expansion. The Tower Renewal Project is a major initiative to update these buildings, and make them part of green and equitable future To…
Continue reading the post titled Toronto zoning change to promote Tower Renewal