What Do You Do When the Well Runs Dry?
In the province of Ontario, dug or drilled wells that are no longer in use are required to be properly decommissioned. Wells are regulated under the Wells Regulation, R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 903, under the Ontario Water Resources Act. The Regulation applies not only to wells installed for the purpose of drinking water, but also to […]
Broad Amendments to the Environmental Assessment Act Pass
The provincial government’s omnibus Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, which was passed by the Ontario legislature on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, includes sweeping amendments to the province’s Environmental Assessment Act. The proposed changes dramatically overhaul the environmental assessment process, including the classification of sites for which an environmental assessment is required. Amendments are […]
Vehicle Noise Pollution
As someone who lives near the flight path of the Ottawa International Airport, I have noticed that since the pandemic, the world has gotten much quieter. Whereas before, the frequency of plans flying overhead lead to them being virtually unnoticed, now, every plane passing by is ear shattering. I have also noticed an increase in […]
Are the Animals Taking Back the Streets?
A few nights ago, while walking our dog on one of his very frequent walks since the start of COVID-19 and the direction to stay at home, I saw what I believe to have been a stoat. I say believe to have been, because I had no idea what the animal was and had to […]
Electric Vehicle Sales are Not Meeting Target
Full disclosure – I have owned an electric vehicle for three years, and I love it. My purchase was a bit of a leap of faith, but as the former owner of a diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta, perhaps I was spurred on by a need to make retribution to the environment for unknowingly emitting horrendous levels […]
The Environmental Impact of Staying at Home
As the weeks of many workers staying at home continue, it is particularly striking how much garbage can be seen sitting at curbs on garbage day. It seems that many people have been using their time at home to clean house and clear out unwanted items. The Marie Kondo Method appears to have taken hold. […]
No Appeal to be Taken Concerning Wind Energy Project
In an earlier blog post, I discussed the decision of the Divisional Court in Nation Rise Wind Farm Limited Partnership v. Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, 2020 ONSC 2984, a decision which overturned the decision of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to cancel regulatory approval of a wind energy project […]
Excess Soils Management Rules Delayed until January 1, 2021 (Updated June 22, 2020)
On December 4, 2019, the Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks announced that the provincial government would be moving forward with the excess soil management regulation under the Environmental Protection Act. The regulation, O. Reg. 406/19: On-Site and Excess Soil Management, provides for a staged approach. The first stage concerning rules for the […]
MECP Orders in the Face of a State of Emergency
Under s. 157.1 of the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19 (“EPA”), as amended, Provincial Officers with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (“MECP”) are given the authority to issue orders for preventative measures to be taken to prevent or reduce the risk of discharge of contaminant into the natural environment or […]
