Tribunal cracks down on non-expert anti-wind “experts”
Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal approved another wind farm on December 24, 2013, in Bovaird v. Director, Ministry of the Environment. In addition to rejecting the Charter argument, described earlier this week, Bovaird was notable for a slightly tougher approach to witnesses who propo…
View the post titled Tribunal cracks down on non-expert anti-wind “experts”Ruling: Wind turbine approvals comply with the Charter
While some people find wind turbines annoying, subjective annoyance is not so serious an infringement of personal security to constitute a breach of the Charter.
View the post titled Ruling: Wind turbine approvals comply with the CharterPublic access to approvals documents at Environmental Tribunal – Part 2
As mentioned in our previous post, there is a limited right of public access to approvals documents that are part of an application for an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA), or are part of the ECA itself, during an application for leave to appeal that ECA to the Environmental Review Tr…
View the post titled Public access to approvals documents at Environmental Tribunal – Part 2Better access to environmental information in Alberta
Alberta may not often be perceived as a leader in environmental regulation, but they do some things much better than we do in Ontario. For example, consider access to private reports on environmental contamination that have been filed with the province. In Ontario, these reports can be acces…
View the post titled Better access to environmental information in AlbertaKudos to Environmental Commissioner
Our congratulations to Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner for three more excellent reports: 2012/2013 Annual Report: Serving the Public A Review of Ontario’s Weakened Protections for Species at Risk (Special Report, Nov. 2013) Building Momentum:Annual Energy Conservation Progre…
View the post titled Kudos to Environmental CommissionerPublic access to approvals documents at Environmental Review Tribunal
Per two of our recent victories at the Environmental Review Tribunal, the public has a limited right of access to approvals documents that are part of an application for an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA), or are part of the ECA itself, when seeking leave to appeal that ECA. In Briml…
View the post titled Public access to approvals documents at Environmental Review TribunalMore on killing birds with buildings as an environmental offence
Ecojustice has settled its bird-killing prosecution against the Menkes Developments (Consilium Place) office complex. As described in a previous post, Ecojustice (as counsel for Ontario Nature) charged Menkes with environmental offences. They proved that these buildings were unusually danger…
View the post titled More on killing birds with buildings as an environmental offenceFreedom of expression before environmental regulators and tribunals?
Environmental regulators and tribunals bear substantial responsibilities and make important decisions regarding development in Canada. If they won’t listen to opponents of a project, will they breach the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? The issue has been raised before the cour…
View the post titled Freedom of expression before environmental regulators and tribunals?Deadline for comments on bee-killing pesticides
December 12 is the deadline for submitting comments to the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency about its weak regulation of the bee-killing pesticides, neonicotinoid insecticides. Widespread use of neonicotinoids is strongly linked to deaths of both domestic and wild pollinators, but t…
View the post titled Deadline for comments on bee-killing pesticidesInstitute of Corporate Directors Webinar on No-fault Director's Liability
Many of you will be attending the Institute of Corporate Directors‘ very popular webinar this Thursday, on the Ministry of the Environment’s campaign to impose no-fault environmental liability on corporate officers and directors. I will be one of the presenters, together with Ne…
View the post titled Institute of Corporate Directors Webinar on No-fault Director's LiabilityReceive Blog Posts
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