Environmental Issues
Alberta government announces relief for energy industry
Alberta oil and gas producers, who are dealing with both historically low commodity prices and the COVID-19 crisis, received some relief from the Alberta government over the last several weeks as the Government announced several measures designed to reduce and defer producers’ costs and ease the administrative burden on producers.
Keeping up with environmental obligations in the time of COVID-19
COVID-19 has brought upheaval across all industries and sectors of society. While this is no less true with respect to environmental matters, many environmental legal requirements remain in place and require continued compliance, despite challenges faced by companies in Canada. On the other hand, many court proceedings and municipal processes have been suspended. This article sets out some practical guidance on how to navigate both ends of this spectrum.
COVID-19: Updated consolidated briefing of federal/provincial measures
On March 20th, we provided you with a summary of the federal and provincial measures imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this Bulletin, we provide an updated overview of the national action plan and select provincial measures, including the economic support measures imposed to date.
Government of Canada enacts changes to environmental assessment processes
On June 21, 2019, the federal government of Canada (Canada) passed Bill C-69, new legislation that will materially reform the federal environmental assessment regime in Canada.
The Ontario Court of Appeal determines when it is appropriate to vest out a royalty interest as part of an insolvency proceeding
Ontario’s highest court has created a framework for determining when it is appropriate for courts to approve sales and vest out interests in assets in the context of insolvency proceedings. This has given resource extraction industries and insolvency practitioners some much needed clarity on how to navigate situations when assets subject to encumbrances and other interests are being sold, especially when land subject to a royalty interest is involved.
Ontario Court of Appeal decides the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act is constitutional
Today, the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision confirming that the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (the “GGPPA” or the “Act”) is constitutional. This is the second appellate court decision to uphold this Act. The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal concluded the GGPPA is constitutional earlier this year.
Making producers pay – from product stewardship to innovative EPR programs
To date, Canada has focused on two approaches for managing products and their packaging at end-of-life: (1) extended producer responsibility or “EPR”, and (2) product stewardship programs. For the most part, these programs (which cover various categories) fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Overseas claims for foreign environmental harm: Vedanta and the Canadian context
Last month, in Vedanta Resources PLC & Another v. Lungowe & Others, the UK Supreme Court allowed Zambian citizens to proceed with a claim in the UK against a UK-based mining company for environmental contamination allegedly caused by its Zambian subsidiary. As our colleague Lee McBride has recently written, this landmark decision will be of particular interest to multinational parent companies headquartered in the UK.
Transportation pilot projects in Ontario and British Columbia
Recent technological advances in self-driving cars, e-scooters and electric low-speed vehicles are rapidly changing the nature of personal and commercial transportation. While some laud such technology as convenient, inexpensive, and environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional means of transportation, others are concerned about the safety ramifications of their presence on roads.
Meeting society’s expectations for corporate social responsibility
Younger employees along with the public and media continue to apply pressure on organizations to address Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) issues including human rights and environmental sustainability.
Interjurisdictional road carriers – Registration under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act
On April 1, 2019, the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act came into force in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan, and it will come into force on July 1, 2019 for each of Nunavut and the Yukon.
New Environmental Emergency Regulations
The new Environmental Emergency Regulations apply to a responsible person that owns or has the charge, management or control of any of the 249 listed hazardous substances located at any fixed land-based facility in Canada.
Making buildings more accessible
On May 23, 2019, the Ontario government announced it is investing $1.3 million over two years through a new partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation to create the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification program (RHFAC).
Budget 2019: Positioning for a fall election
Many were hoping for tax reductions in Budget 2019 that would help make Canada more competitive. With Canada’s top marginal tax rates described by some analysts as “punitively high,” and with the Canadian economy sliding to an annualized rate of growth of only 0.4 per cent in the fourth quarter, there are no proposed changes to the tax rates for individuals or corporations.
Ontario reveals the details about its performance standards for large industrial emitters
On February 12th 2019, Ontario announced its proposed plan to reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, the Industrial Emissions Performance Standards Program.
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