Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal Upholds Another Wind Turbine Approval
On January 4th, 2019, the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal (“Tribunal” or “ERT”) issued another decision in the long list of dismissed appeals of wind turbine approvals (“Renewable Energy Approvals” or “REAs”). The crux of the 143 page decision in Concerned Citizens of North Stormont v.…
View the post titled Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal Upholds Another Wind Turbine ApprovalLittle Brown Bat the latest critter to shut down proposed wind farm
The Environmental Review Tribunal (“ERT”) has again demonstrated its willingness to allow appeals of renewable energy approvals (“REA”) for wind project on the basis that it will cause serious and irreversible harm to animal life, plant life or the natural environment…
View the post titled Little Brown Bat the latest critter to shut down proposed wind farmPMRA intends to end conditional registration of pesticides
Health Canada recently announced that as of June 1, 2016, it intends to end the federal practice of granting conditional registrations of for pesticides. Under the Pest Control Products Act, SC 2002 c28, (“PCPA”), Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (“PMRA”) is task…
View the post titled PMRA intends to end conditional registration of pesticidesNew environmental laws in Ontario
It was a big week for new environmental laws in Ontario. Last week, on November 3, a trio of environmental laws–each of which has suffered a tortured history of introduction, death, and re-incarnation–finally received royal assent and came into effect: the Great Lakes Protection…
View the post titled New environmental laws in OntarioNEB updating pipeline damage prevention framework, seeking comments
The National Energy Board (“NEB”) is currently seeking comments on its proposed approach to damage prevention for oil pipelines. Anyone interested in commenting has until November 13, 2015 to do so. The Pipeline Safety Act, SC 2015, c.21, received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015, b…
View the post titled NEB updating pipeline damage prevention framework, seeking commentsOil Pipelines and Climate Change: Eyes Wide Shut
Will the National Energy Board (“NEB”) listen to evidence about climate change when deciding whether to permit an oil pipeline? No, no, and no. The federal Conservatives have dramatically narrowed Canada’s environmental laws, in a concerted effort to force through approval of oil pipelines, …
View the post titled Oil Pipelines and Climate Change: Eyes Wide ShutGreat Lakes Protection Act: public hearings and comments
We have blogged previously about Bill 66, the re-(re)introduction of the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act. This is the third time that the Ontario government has introduced a Bill of this nature to the Legislature. Previous versions of the proposed act (specifically, Bill 100, introduced …
View the post titled Great Lakes Protection Act: public hearings and commentsPublic participation restrictions do not violate Charter
Can the federal government successfully muzzle (non-aboriginal) opponents to major energy and resource projects? So far, yes.
View the post titled Public participation restrictions do not violate CharterOntario Anti-SLAPP law soon after all?
Yesterday, we noted that Environment Minister Glen Murray’s mandate letter includes no reference to a new anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participation) law: https://www.siskinds.com/environment-minister-murrays-mandate-letter/, even though SLAPPs are often directed again…
View the post titled Ontario Anti-SLAPP law soon after all?Freedom 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?Receive Blog Posts
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