Ontario flurry of convictions
In a typical year, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment launches about 150 to 175 prosecutions. About 75% of them are resolved by guilty pleas; about 5% are acquitted at trial; about 10% are convicted of something at trial; about 10% are withdrawn. Thus, we expect to hear about 12 or so convictions a month,...
Continue reading the post titled Ontario flurry of convictionsBig fine for environmental consultant
Fines of $201,500, plus the 25% victim fine surcharge, have been imposed on an environmental consultant, his company and its client, for violations of the Ontario Water Resources Act. The client was also sent to jail.
Continue reading the post titled Big fine for environmental consultantYes, TCE is a carcinogen
After 22 years of study, and intense political maneuvering, the US Environmental Protection Agency has formally classified TCE (trichloroethene, also called trichloroethylene) as a carcinogen, as well as a non-cancer hazard to human health. The assessment is now a formal part of the the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database, a human health assessment program that...
Continue reading the post titled Yes, TCE is a carcinogenMOECC 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...
Continue reading the post titled MOECC Updates – June 2015Guidance re surplus construction soil
Looking for some good precedents on careful management of surplus soil from construction sites? The European Union Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98 EC) requires that all surplus soil from all construction sites be treated as waste, whether contaminated or not, but several jurisdictions make exceptions. For example, Northern Ireland publishes guidance allowing the reuse of...
Continue reading the post titled Guidance re surplus construction soilSuccessful nonsuits- hazardous waste
Successful non-suits of environmental prosecutions are rare. A non-suit is granted only when the Crown has failed to offer any evidence, no matter how manifestly unreliable, of the essential elements of the offences charged. I was therefore particularly pleased to achieve three non-suits on October 18.
Continue reading the post titled Successful nonsuits- hazardous wasteAir 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?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...
Continue reading the post titled MOECC Updates – May 2015Bikes and transit
As part of our commitment to a greener city, we are again sponsoring the Bikes and Transit website. This is a great resource for planning cycle excursions around the GTA, from the wine route in Grimsby to the beautiful Ajax waterfront, all by public transit. We have been delighted with the beautiful places we have...
Continue reading the post titled Bikes and transitCanada's last again on GHGs
Canada has yet to release its GHG numbers to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (or at least they aren’t yet posted on the UNFCCC site) despite a reporting deadline of April 15. We now have the dubious distinction of being the only Annex I (developed) country that hasn’t released any information to...
Continue reading the post titled Canada's last again on GHGsReceive Blog Posts
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