Co-author: Evan Schube, Summer Student, Miller Thomson Edmonton As brownfields are unused and unproductive contaminated lands, they present unique opportunities and challenges. The challenges, however, are being mitigated as the regulatory environment is trending towards more favourable liability conditions, municipalities are more...
Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced on May 21 that Canada will impose new emission standards on heavy trucks under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. In Canada, the transportation sector accounts for about 25 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions...
On May 18, 2010 the Ontario government introduced Bill 72, Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act. The Bill aims to encourage water conservation, strengthen sustainable municipal water planning and make Ontario a leader in developing and selling water technologies and...
In February 2010, the Supreme Court of British Columbia heard an application by West Moberly First Nations to quash three decisions of individuals appointed as statutory decision makers for the Crown: A September 1, 2009 decision of the Chief Inspector...
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) came fully into force on June 1, 2004. The goal of the Act is to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct and to help species at risk recover. SARA is intended to work with...
Co-author: Christina Cook (Articled Student, Miller Thomson Vancouver) A recently reported decision provides useful insight into the due diligence defence. The Accident On August 20, 2007 the “Kathy L”, a barge loaded with large logging equipment and 19,453 litres of petroleum products,...
In the April 2010 issue of EnviroNotes we reported on a proposal by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to fundamentally reform the environmental approvals process in Ontario. The reforms were included in Bill 68, the Open for Business Act,...
Since its formation in 1995, The Miller Thomson Foundation has awarded scholarships totalling $2,550,000 to 2,550 promising students pursuing post-secondary education in Canada. Gerald Courage, along with Gary G. Campbell, Q.C. and The Rt. Hon. John N. Turner, P.C., C.C.,...
Bill C-9, the omnibus budget bill, includes provisions to amend numerous federal statutes including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Enacted in 1992, CEAA requires environmental assessment (EA) of projects or activities which may cause significant adverse environmental effects. The...
The BC Environmental Appeal Board recently decided that the District Director (pursuant to the Environmental Management Act) had gone too far when, on his own initiative, he amended an air permit held by West Coast Reduction Ltd. (“West Coast”) by...
