Drummond on environment, how helpful?
Last week, we posted chapter 13 of Don Drummond’s report, the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services, the section on the Ministry of the Environment. Here, in brief, are his recommendations. Other than the general good advice that the MOE should eliminate duplication and…
Continue reading the post titled Drummond on environment, how helpful?Ten top environmental civil cases in 2011
Dianne spoke to an attentive audience at the Ontario Bar Association’s Annual Institute on the ten top environmental civil cases of 2011 (and the first part of 2012).
Continue reading the post titled Ten top environmental civil cases in 2011Punishing cost to protect natural area
How much should municipalities have to pay to preserve sensitive areas? Windsor paid so dearly in Windsor (City) v. Paciorka, 2011 ONSC 2876, that other municipalities may be loath to try. The City expropriated 267 lots to preserve an environmentally sensitive area. The developer refused the…
Continue reading the post titled Punishing cost to protect natural areaWind and health: an Australian update
Here is another comprehensive website on wind turbines and claims of adverse health effects, this time from Australia, but which follows information from around the world. Australia is also the site of a thorough literature review on the topic by the National Health and Research Council, whi…
Continue reading the post titled Wind and health: an Australian updateEcojustice victory for endangered species
Why doesn’t the federal government protect endangered species without Ecojustice* taking them to court? In December 2010, Ecojustice won their lawsuit against the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for failing to protect killer whale habitat in B.C. In its plan to protect the w…
Continue reading the post titled Ecojustice victory for endangered speciesJail for victim of vandalism?
1197338 Ontario Inc. was fined $150,000 plus the 25% Victim Fine Surcharge for failing to comply with a Director’s Order to clean up a spill of PCBs; its president, Lawrence Brander was sentenced to 30 days in jail for the same offence. But why did the spill occur?
Continue reading the post titled Jail for victim of vandalism?Drummond report: doing more with less
The Ministry of the Environment will have to do less, charge more and become much more efficient in a time of government constraint, according to today’s Drummond Report:
Continue reading the post titled Drummond report: doing more with lessClimate change and gardens
As passionate gardeners, we keep wondering how the changing climate is affecting our gardens. (We last wrote about climate change in this space during the heat of summer in 2010.) We therefore noticed when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated its plant hardiness zone map on Janu…
Continue reading the post titled Climate change and gardensSydney Tar Ponds class action certified
After eight years of legal wrangling, the Sydney Tar Ponds class action has finally been certified. However, the plaintiffs’ chances of ultimate success will be significantly reduced if the Smith v. Inco decision stands.
Continue reading the post titled Sydney Tar Ponds class action certifiedWill the SCC grant leave in Smith v Inco?
Will the Supreme Court of Canada grant leave to Ellen Smith to appeal the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal rejecting her class action against Inco for the historic nickel contamination of soil in Port Colborne?
Continue reading the post titled Will the SCC grant leave in Smith v Inco?