New brownfields rules
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment has quietly adopted sweeping changes to the regulation of brownfields and other contaminated sites. Some of the changes were extensively reviewed with stakeholders during the past three years; others were surprises: See the 87 pages of Regulation 511/09 at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_040153_e.htm. The most important change will be the new standards...
Continue reading the post titled New brownfields rulesTax incentives for brownfields
Ontario municipalities have demonstrated their commitment to brownfield redevelopment by investing in a wide variety of incentive programs for contaminated sites that include Community Improvement Plans (CIPs). Now, there is a consolidated source for locating active municipal brownfields financial incentive programs.
Continue reading the post titled Tax incentives for brownfieldsDownloading liability on municipalities
Senior governments seem to have no shame about downloading enormous, undisclosed environmental liabilities on municipalities. In an English case, Corby Group Litigation v. Corby District Council, the Corby Borough Council (CBC) has been held liable for allowing residents to become exposed to toxic substances during its 1980s cleanup of an old British Steel works. British...
Continue reading the post titled Downloading liability on municipalitiesA Year of Growth and Opportunity
As the new year enters with the promise of new beginnings, we wish to extend many thanks to our clients and readers for making 2015 and excellent year. What a fabulous and exciting year for us. We were presented with many opportunities in 2015 including the transition Saxe Law Office to Siskinds LLP with the appointment...
Continue reading the post titled A Year of Growth and Opportunity$750,000 Fine for Killing Migratory Birds
On November 5, 2015 Canaport LNG Limited Partnership plead guilty to charges under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Species at Risk Act and was ordered to pay a total penalty of $750,000 by the New Brunswick Provincial court. The investigation conducted by Environment Canada into the incident disclosed that in September 2013...
Continue reading the post titled $750,000 Fine for Killing Migratory BirdsQuebec Ontario Agreement on GHG
Cooperation on GHG emissions? Uh-uh — Feds’ knickers in a knot over pact between Ontario and Quebec Ontario and Québec signed a memorandum of understanding on climate change during Canadian Environment Week, on June 2. Premiers McGuinty and Charest propose that an inter-provincial carbon-trading system be established “as early as” January 1, 2010. They plan...
Continue reading the post titled Quebec Ontario Agreement on GHGFirst Nations, Métis and Renewable Energy
First Nations are playing an ever-expanding role in the siting of new renewable energy projects. Now, the new Aboriginal Energy Partnership Program (AEPP)[1] will help First Nations and Métis communities to develop and own renewable energy projects.[2] Funding applications are already being accepted.[3]
Continue reading the post titled First Nations, Métis and Renewable EnergyWater quality trading ebbs away again
Ever since the Newt Gingrich “Common Sense Revolution”, much ink has been spent on the alleged superiority of economic instruments over “command and control”. In theory, government cannot efficiently or effectively tell people what to do; instead, government should give people an economic incentive to do the right thing, allowing them to use their own...
Continue reading the post titled Water quality trading ebbs away againPolybutylene Pipe
Polybutylene Pipe Defective plastic pipes (polybutylene pipe) used in plumbing and radiant heating Siskinds is involved in an effort to seek compensation for individuals throughout Canada who have Polybutylene plumbing and/or heating systems. The problems pertain to a type of piping material which could leak and cause major problems in a home’s plumbing and radiant...
Continue reading the post titled Polybutylene PipeOld coal to improve, slowly….
Canada’s electricity sector is responsible for 17 percent of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most of that -13%- comes from 51 coal-burning electricity plants, along with mercury, particulates, NOx/ SOx and other health hazards. [i], [ii] Minister of the Environment Jim Prentice has promised new regulations for these coal-fired plants.
Continue reading the post titled Old coal to improve, slowly….Receive Blog Posts
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