Better tank standards for diesel, heating fuel and kerosene
The Ontario Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is proposing to update the safety requirements governing the storage, handling, and utilization of fuel oil, diesel and kerosene. Leaks and...
View ArticleCitizens have some success against quarry, but…
Citizens Against Melrose Quarry must feel a bit like Groundhog Day all over again. They won, sort of, but are now back at the beginning again. The quarry owner may feel the same way. The citizens’...
View ArticleRecords of Site Condition – common problems
Records of Site Condition are the regulatory documents used in Ontario to confirm whether a potentially or actually contaminated site meets acceptable standards for a particular land-use, under the...
View ArticleWaste manifests v TDGR: when fed/ prov rules conflict
New Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation (TDGR) requirements are no longer quite consistent with the federal/provincial waste manifest form. This is challenging for shippers and waste managers....
View ArticleA great canoe trip
Dear friends, Many of you have asked about the Mountain River canoe trip I just returned from in the Northwest Territories. Our photos aren’t ready yet, but here is a link to a great video of the same...
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Pivotal lawsuit over the Peel River watershed
Last week, the Yukon Court of Appeal heard arguments about the future of the massive Peel River watershed, and about the meaning and application of modern aboriginal treaties. Will this land be mostly...
View ArticleThe Dutch Climate Case: Beginning of a New Era of Climate Litigation?
In an worldwide first, the Hague District Court has ordered the Dutch government to cut its greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by at least 25% compared to 1990 levels by the end of 2020. The decision, an...
View ArticleShould non-human animals have rights?
Who is a “person”? If corporations can be “persons”, why not chimpanzees? Do sentient non-human animals deserve legal rights? The Nonhuman Rights Project is a US civil rights organization working to...
View ArticlePrecautionary principle stronger part of Canadian law
In Morton v Canada (Fisheries and Oceans), 2015 FC 575, the Federal court put unusually strong reliance on the precautionary principle to strike down parts of an aquaculture licence granted by the...
View ArticleInternational Chemicals Management meeting
In 2002, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the international community adopted an ambitious target for world wide sound management of chemicals and hazardous wastes by 2020: that...
View ArticleSupreme Court allows Ecuador pollution plaintiffs to sue Chevron Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada has today allowed Ecuador pollution plaintiffs to try to seek enforcement against Chevron Canada of a multibillion-dollar damage award against Chevron Corporation for oil...
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Environmental Commissioner’s new website
Congratulations to Ellen Schwartzel, acting Environmental Commissioner of Ontario and her staff on their excellent new website. Much more user friendly and easier to navigate. Well done! Read...
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Oil spills at sea: Better prevention and cleanup
Some rare good news. Oil tanker spills into world oceans: there aren’t as many as there used to be, and they do not do as much damage as they used to do. According to the excellent newsletter of the...
View ArticleShana tova to our friends and colleagues
All best wishes for a wonderful new year to our Jewish colleagues, clients and readers. Dianne will be out of the office Monday and Tuesday celebrating Rosh Hashanah. Read Shana tova to our friends and...
View ArticleThank you
Thank you very much for the outpouring of warm wishes and congratulations on my appointment as Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. They are very much appreciated. I will need your help to make the...
View ArticleEndangered Species Regulations go to Court of Appeal
Environmental groups will get a second chance to try to strike down regulations that weakened Ontario’s protections for endangered species and their habitat. Ecojustice, the Ontario Federation of...
View ArticleWind turbines and radiation emitting devices act
Dear Jutta: Does operating a wind turbine contravene the federal Radiation Emitting Devices Act? I don’t think so. Here are four (alternative) reasons: First, in my view, a wind turbine is not a...
View ArticleStill time to comment on drinking water changes
Safe Drinking Water Act: Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is still accepting public comments on proposed changes to Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards, and Testing and...
View ArticleDeveloper fined for illegal land clearing
After years of litigation, a British Columbia land developer has been personally fined $20,000 for harmful alteration of fish habitat contrary to section 35 of the Fisheries Act. He illegally cleared...
View ArticleOur practice is moving
Saxe Law Office is pleased to announce that, as of November 30, 2015, our environmental law practice is joining the respected mid-size law firm, Siskinds LLP. Our skilled associates, Paula Boutis and...
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