New York Taking on Climate Change
On April 18, 2019 New York City Council approved a plan, the local version of the Green New Deal, that requires thousands of buildings to take steps to reduce their greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. The plan implements a cap on carbon emissions for buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. in area and r…
Continue reading the post titled New York Taking on Climate Change$9.5 Billion Dollar Claim to Enforce Judgment Dismissed
On Thursday, April 4, 2019 the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the attempts of Ecuador’s Lago Agrio Region requiring Chevron to pay for water and soil contamination relating to Texaco’s activities in the area. The contamination was caused by Texaco’s activities between the years 1964 and 1…
Continue reading the post titled $9.5 Billion Dollar Claim to Enforce Judgment DismissedFurther changes coming to the Conservation Authorities Act
The Ontario government announced a new round of changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27 (the “Act”) and regulations in two Environmental Registry postings on Friday, April 5, 2019: Modernizing conservation authority operations – Conservation Authorities Act ht…
Continue reading the post titled Further changes coming to the Conservation Authorities ActCannabis Trademark Licensing and the Accidental Franchise
Certain licensed producers have been licensing their trademarks (or the trademarks of their retail arm) to successful applicants for Ontario cannabis retail licenses. Trademark license agreements involve downside legal risk; in particular, the “accidental franchise”, and must be drafted with…
Continue reading the post titled Cannabis Trademark Licensing and the Accidental FranchiseFinal Report of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Focused on Energy Conservation
As of today, April 1, 2019, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario’s (ECO) website reads: From 1994 to 2019, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO), an independent officer of the Legislature, reported on government progress on climate change, energy and other environmental issue…
Continue reading the post titled Final Report of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Focused on Energy ConservationVehicle ‘black boxes’ need tighter rules
Event data recorders (EDRs) that track and improve vehicle safety have become standard in most vehicles. In a recent article by Advocate Daily titled: Vehicle ‘black boxes’ need tighter rules, Siskinds lawyer Peter Dillon addresses privacy concerns regarding EDRs that monitor vehicle behavio…
Continue reading the post titled Vehicle ‘black boxes’ need tighter rulesRepeal of Toxic Reductions Act – Friend or Foe
The Ontario government recently voted in Committee to remove Schedule 10 from Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act. The removal of Schedule 10 was in response to comments received concerning impacts to farmland, drinking water sources and other natural areas that risked being pre…
Continue reading the post titled Repeal of Toxic Reductions Act – Friend or FoeDivisional Court: employees with mental stress injuries suffered at work must receive benefits though workers’ compensation; may not sue for damages
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (the “WSIA”) is the cornerstone of Ontario’s workers’ compensation system. The basic principle of the WSIA is the “historic compromise” between employees and employers: in exchange for the benefit of no-fault insurance benefits for workplace injuries an…
Continue reading the post titled Divisional Court: employees with mental stress injuries suffered at work must receive benefits though workers’ compensation; may not sue for damagesOntario GHG Performance Standards for Industrial Emitters
The public consultation period for the Ontario government’s proposed greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emission performance standards (“EPS”) ends on March 29, 2019. The EPS proposal is the government’s replacement for the cap and trade regime under the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy…
Continue reading the post titled Ontario GHG Performance Standards for Industrial EmittersFisheries Act Violation Results In $350,000 Fine
On February 20, 2019 Fraser River Pile and Dredge GP Inc. (“Fraser”) was ordered to pay a penalty in the amount of $350,000.00 after pleading guilty to depositing a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish, contrary to the Fisheries Act. Section 36(3) of the Fisheries Act states t…
Continue reading the post titled Fisheries Act Violation Results In $350,000 Fine