Pesticide ban
According to news reports, Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals will promise next week to introduce a province-wide ban of household cosmetic pesticides, if they are re-elected in October. Following two precedent-setting court cases, numerous municipalities, including Toronto and London, have al…
Continue reading the post titled Pesticide banMoney for Brownfields
Until September 19, 2007, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is accepting applications from municipalities for low-interest loans to fund brownfield remediation projects. The projects must result in conservation of heritage buildings or construction of new …
Continue reading the post titled Money for BrownfieldsMore Codes of Practice for Environmental Assessment
The Ministry of the Environment has proposed two new Codes of Practice for Ontario’s environmental assessment process: Preparing and Reviewing Environmental Assessments and Class Environmental Assessments. Comments may be made between August 17, 2007 and October 16, 2007. The Code of Practic…
Continue reading the post titled More Codes of Practice for Environmental AssessmentCharging for Water Taking
In a small step in the right direction, Ontario will begin charging industrial and commercial water users for the ground and surface water that they take, under Ontario regulation 450/07, Charges for Industrial and Commercial Water Users. In the first phase, water-taking fees will only apply…
Continue reading the post titled Charging for Water TakingLandfill Gas
The MOE is proposing to amend regulations under the Environmental Protection Act to mandate collection of landfill gas at all larger landfills. Unfortunately for municipalities, this would strip landfill gas collection of its eligibility for carbon emission reduction credits. One essential f…
Continue reading the post titled Landfill GasDrive Clean fines
How much should false information cost? Ontario’s Drive Clean program is intended to reduce air pollution by requiring motor vehicles to meet emission standards. An ongoing problem with the program is false information provided by owners or mechanics; maintaining the integrity of the p…
Continue reading the post titled Drive Clean finesGreen licence plates?
My Civic Hybrid was delighted to hear that the province is now promising to develop special plates and privileges for fuel efficient cars. Next year, my hybrid should be sporting a new Ontario Eco-licence plate. According to yesterday’s announcement, the Ontario government will consult with …
Continue reading the post titled Green licence plates?Tree Trimming
Mature trees add beauty and character to any neighbourhood, while providing cool shade in the summer, wildlife habitat and clean air. But trees can also cause tension between neighbours, particularly where they grow across property lines. With the increasingly intense “freak storms” that cli…
Continue reading the post titled Tree TrimmingEnvironmental Penalties start today
The long-awaited Environmental Penalties Regulation, O.Reg. 222/07, comes into force today. This is an administrative penalties regime for environmental offences like the civil penalties widely used in the US. It has not previously been used in Ontario environmental law. In the new system, e…
Continue reading the post titled Environmental Penalties start todayRegulatory Blitz
The McGuinty government has adopted a blizzard of new and amended regulations this year. Since January, there have been 32 regulatory amendments or new regulations under the Environmental Protection Act; 2 under the Environmental Bill of Rights; 5 under the Environmental Assessment Act; 6 un…
Continue reading the post titled Regulatory Blitz