Consumer products banned for lead- in the US
The US is far more active than Canada in detecting lead in consumer products, and in requiring that they be withdrawn from the market. The Centers for Disease Control post a fascinating list of high lead consumer products, many of them marketed for children, which can no longer be sold in th…
Continue reading the post titled Consumer products banned for lead- in the USPolluter must pay for cleanup, twice
It’s not safe for a polluter to trust a subsequent owner to clean up contamination, even if the polluter has specifically paid for the cleanup, and even if the new owner signs a contract relieving the original polluter of liability. None of this will prevent environmental regulators from ord…
Continue reading the post titled Polluter must pay for cleanup, twiceKeystone pipeline
If approved, the Keystone XL pipeline would carry oil extracted from Northern Alberta’s oil sands to refineries and markets in the United States. Vocal opponents of the project hope to convince President Obama not to approve the project, but their chances seem poor. The Canadian portion of t…
Continue reading the post titled Keystone pipelineOdour control tax credit
I was delighted to learn about Manitoba’s Odour Control Tax Credit, even if it is about to expire.
Continue reading the post titled Odour control tax creditOzone: health or money?
Despite strong scientific evidence that current permitted ozone levels cause harm to human health, President Obama has decided not to cut them. This will likely lead to lawsuits, as the Clean Air Act requires EPA to set air levels that protect human health. And Canada, as usual, will probabl…
Continue reading the post titled Ozone: health or money?Lawsuit for noise and odour
Noise and odour are frequent sources of neighbourhood disputes. Sometimes those disputes can be resolved by turning to regulators, such as the Ministry of the Environment or municipal bylaw enforcement officers. Often, however, that isn’t enough. Some then turn to the courts.
Continue reading the post titled Lawsuit for noise and odourMelancthon Mega Quarry to have full EA
Those opposed to public and private projects often request that they be “bumped up” to an individual environmental assessment (EA) under the Environmental Assessment Act. Full individual EAs take a lot of time and money, and are usually considered a major obstacle to the approval…
Continue reading the post titled Melancthon Mega Quarry to have full EAAODA’s Customer Service Standards – Who’s taking charge of compliance in your organization?
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”) became law in 2005. As part of that law, every private-sector and not-for-profit organization that provides goods or services to the public or to third parties and that has at least one employee in Ontario must be in compliance …
Continue reading the post titled AODA’s Customer Service Standards – Who’s taking charge of compliance in your organization?Peter Dillon will be one of two distinguished Plenary Session speakers addressing “Complex Disclosure Issues Under Canadian Law” at the upcoming Ontario Bar Association Annual Franchise Law Conference.
The conference will take place on November 2, 2011 in Toronto.
Continue reading the post titled Peter Dillon will be one of two distinguished Plenary Session speakers addressing “Complex Disclosure Issues Under Canadian Law” at the upcoming Ontario Bar Association Annual Franchise Law Conference.Drat those barrels
Tonda Construction Limited was fined $25,000 and Nethercott Excavating Limited was fined $8,000, because an unlicenced hauler took old barrels and contaminated soils for (otherwise) lawful disposal.
Continue reading the post titled Drat those barrels