News & Publications
Validity of the Renewable Fuels Regulations under CEPA upheld
The Federal Court of Appeal has recently rendered a decision in another judicial review involving the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Syncrude, which produces diesel fuel at its tar sands operations, commenced an application challenging the validity of federal regulations made under CEPA requiring that all diesel fuel produced, imported, or sold in Canada contain a minimum of 2% renewable fuel (the Renewable Fuels Regulations). In Syncrude v Canada (Attorney General), 2016 FCA 1...
Shell fined $500,000, pays $200,000 to First Nation following 2013 spill
In case you missed it, nearly 3 years following the event, Shell Canada Ltd has been sentenced for a spill of “flare knock-out liquids” at a Sarnia-area refinery. The January 2013 spill affected members of the nearby Aamjiwnaang First Nation, who experienced a variety of adverse health effects (including sore eyes and throats, vomiting, nausea, headaches, and anxiety) and were forced to respond to a “shelter-in-place” advisory. Late last fall, Shell pled guilty to one charge under sec...
The (Contaminated) Ground Beneath our Feet
The extent and nature of contaminated land in Canada — the toxic legacy of our collective history of poor environmental stewardship, including through weak environmental regulation — continues to invade the headlines. A few weeks ago, a CBC/Radio-Canada report revealed that dozens of former dumps on the island of Montreal have been covered over without ever having been decontaminated. Numerous municipal parks and residential developments now sit atop these contaminated sites. The...
Auditor General: Ontario Must Manage its Contaminated Sites
On December 2, the Auditor General released her 2015 report. This year’s report included a chapter onmanagement of contaminated sites. In all, there are almost 800 contaminated sites owned by Ontario, of which 288 have recorded liabilities, estimated at $1.792 billion dollars. Her report follows last year’s report of the Parliamentary Budget Officer who concluded the federal government has underestimated the cost of cleaning up contaminated sites under its jurisdiction by at least $2 bil...
MOECC Updates – June 2015
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed of environmental issues that could impact your business, we have collected this list of recent MOECC fines for violations of the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act. If you have any questions or would like more information about how these Acts have implications on your business, please contact Paula Lombardi. Metal Recycler Fined $3,500 For Operating Unapproved Sewage Works Orangeville - Melancthon Township met...
MOECC Updates – May 2015
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed of environmental issues that could impact your business, we have collected this list of recent MOECC news and fines for violations of the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act. If you have any questions or would like more information about how these Regulations have implications on your business, please contact Paula Lombardi. Excavation Company Fined $12,000 For Operating Equipment Without Approval Kingston - ...
MOECC Fines – April 2015
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed of environmental issues that could impact your business, we have collected this list of recent MOECC fines for violations of the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act. If you have any questions or would like more information about how these Acts have implications on your business, please contact Paula Lombardi. Plumbing Company Fined $4,000 For Maintaining Well Without Valid Licence Thunder Bay - Craig Plumbing C...