50 years of mercury pollution: Grassy Narrows
Fifty years ago last month, in March 1962, Dryden Chemicals began dumping an estimated 10 metric tonnes of mercury into the Wabigoon River, contaminating the fish which formed the subsistence and economy of three Indigenous communities Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows), Wabaseemoong (Wh…
Continue reading the post titled 50 years of mercury pollution: Grassy NarrowsResidents get leave to appeal landfill closure
Where evidence indicates that the landfill may be causing contamination, a precautionary approach requires that the harm be presumed to be occurring unless and until there is concrete evidence that it is not. In situations where scientific uncertainty exists as to whether an activity is …
Continue reading the post titled Residents get leave to appeal landfill closureMine or hauler: Who's responsible for Waste PCB Oil?
In Enviro West Inc. v. Copper Mountain Mining Corp. a waste hauler was hired to remove waste oil from a transformer at a mine. Despite several oral and written warnings, the hauler didn’t realize the oil was heavily contaminated with PCBs. As a result, the hauler mixed the PCBs with ot…
Continue reading the post titled Mine or hauler: Who's responsible for Waste PCB Oil?State of the Unions
In the wake of belt-tightening budgets from government and a growing sense that labour relations are entering a more difficult period in both the public and private sectors, an article in last weekend’s Globe and Mail by John Allemang makes for interesting reading – whether your organization…
Continue reading the post titled State of the UnionsFeed in Tariff update for renewable energy
Wind and Solar Tariffs Reduced New Emphasis on Community Power–10% of Capacity Set Aside Substantial Increase in Inflation Adjustment for Biomass and Biogas Program Moves to Annual Review Possible New Renewable Targets No Word on Connection Barriers and Inclusion of New Technologies Pa…
Continue reading the post titled Feed in Tariff update for renewable energyOBA prods AG on Anti-SLAPP
The Ontario Bar Association has reminded the Attorney General of the need for anti-SLAPP legislation in Ontario:
Continue reading the post titled OBA prods AG on Anti-SLAPPCreditor or regulator? Nortel, the MOE and environment v insolvency
If there are continuing operations, there has to be ongoing compliance with environmental legislation. But if there are no ongoing operations, the environmental regulator has to rely on its security, failing which it has unsecured status.
Continue reading the post titled Creditor or regulator? Nortel, the MOE and environment v insolvencyIs public consultation a political activity forbidden to charities?
With the launch of Conservative Senator Nicole Eaton’s inquiry into the “Involvement of Foreign Foundations in Canada’s Domestic Affairs”, increased scrutiny is being focused on the activities of Canada’s charitable environmental groups. In particular, is participating in public consultation…
Continue reading the post titled Is public consultation a political activity forbidden to charities?Bitter bedbug battle
Over the past decade, North America and western Europe have seen an alarming resurgence of bedbugs in homes, university dormitories, apartments and hotels. Although the reason for the proliferation of bedbugs is not clear, some attribute this to the increase in international travel, use of…
Continue reading the post titled Bitter bedbug battleERT rejects neighbours' plea re 22 year old spill
Should it really take more than 22 years to clean up a domestic fuel spill?
Continue reading the post titled ERT rejects neighbours' plea re 22 year old spill