Open for Business- new rules for approvals
Bill 68, the Open for Business Act, has received Royal Assent.Β Schedule 7 of the Act makes major changes to a range of Ministry Β of the Environment statutes. Most will be phased in over time. For example, theΒ Environmental Protection Act has received major amendments. A new Permit by Rule approval system should eventually slash delays in...
Continue reading the post titled Open for Business- new rules for approvalsKent Breeze wind appeal update
Several appeals have now been launched to the Environmental Review Tribunal by opponents of the Kent Breeze Β wind farm, which recently received a renewable energy approval from the Ministry of the Environment. Β Last week, we wrote about the relatively modest appeal launched by Β Mr. Wachsmuth; Β we understand that he is now in the process of...
Continue reading the post titled Kent Breeze wind appeal updateClimate change and wilful ignorance
Israel is burning, in record heat and drought. The Hudson Bay polar bears are in trouble, and may lose all of this year’s cubs. 2010 is “almost certain” to be the third warmest year on record since 1850, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The Arctic ice is thinning. So what are we doing about...
Continue reading the post titled Climate change and wilful ignoranceAir CAMM to improve?
The Ministry of the Environment is working hard to improve the newish air pollution regulation O.Reg. 419/05. The original concept, that a five-year phase in period would result in businesses inventing pollution control technology, usually has not worked. As major businesses get close to the February 1, 2013 deadline, they are digging in their heels....
Continue reading the post titled Air CAMM to improve?Extra time for Toxic Reduction plans?
The Ministry of the Environment plans to give Β Ontario industries an extra year to prepare their toxic substance reduction plans and plan summaries, under the Toxics Reduction Act 2009. Β Proposed amendments to O. Reg. 455/09 have been reposted for further comment; comments are invited until January 31, 2011. The Ministry is proposing to amend O....
Continue reading the post titled Extra time for Toxic Reduction plans?Proposed law to ban organic waste from landfills
Former environment minister Norm Sterling has introduced a private member’s Bill to ban organic waste from landfills. The Bill would amend the Environmental Protection Act. Most private members’ Bills die on the order paper, but some make it through and become law, with the support of the governing party. Mr. Sterling’s Bill received at least...
Continue reading the post titled Proposed law to ban organic waste from landfillsWhen Is a Layoff Not a Layoff?
Q.Β When Is a Layoff Not a Layoff? A.Β When itβs a termination. A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court has given some employers confidence that they will always be allowed to lay off employees provided they follow the requirements of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (βthe ESAβ).Β Unfortunately, we think that confidence may well...
Continue reading the post titled When Is a Layoff Not a Layoff?The Latest on Overtime Class Actions
There has been lots of press coverage respecting a number of class actions by employees who claim that they have been improperly denied overtime pay.Β The reality is that actions by individual employees are unlikely to be commenced as the legal fees relative to the potential recovery make such claims prohibitively expensive except in cases...
Continue reading the post titled The Latest on Overtime Class ActionsRoundup pesticides to have special review
West Coast Environmental and Josette Wier have obtained a court order requiring Health Canada to conduct a special review of one use of common glyphosate-based pesticides (such as Roundup) mixed with an ingredient known as POEA. There is conflicting evidence about the toxicity of the mixture (which forestry companies spray on ephemeral wetlands and intermittent...
Continue reading the post titled Roundup pesticides to have special reviewClimate change a breach of public trust?
Attorneys representing groups of one or more children andΒ young adults are filing legal actions against the US government, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, in which they allege that the public trust doctrine requires government entities to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and implement reforestation programs in order to fight climate change.Β The...
Continue reading the post titled Climate change a breach of public trust?Receive Blog Posts
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