Environmental Disputes and Enforcement

New hearing ordered for historic youth-led Charter challenge to Ontario’s Cap and Trade Cancellation Act

The Court of Appeal for Ontario has revived a claim by youth activists who argue that the greenhouse gas emissions target set under Ontario’s Cap...

The changing environment of federal impact assessment

The current state of the federal Impact Assessment Act is examined, and possible future changes to the Act are explored.

Developing Canada’s critical minerals for energy transition

Regulatory reform in the mining sector is needed to cultivate the development of Canada’s critical minerals for energy transition.

Presenting our Legal Outlook

Osler Legal Outlook provides a look back on key legal developments in 2024 and a look forward to the implications for 2025 and beyond.

Québec introduces Bill 81 to amend various environmental laws

On November 20, Québec tabled Bill 81, which would amend the majority of the province’s environmental legislation.

Québec Court of Appeal underscores the evolving nature of environmental standards in transactions

In a recent decision dealing with groundwater contamination at a shopping centre, the Québec Court of Appeal highlighted the importance of...

Blueberry River First Nations files claim against B.C. for the Gundy Plan

On July 8, 2024, Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) filed a Notice of Civil Claim^[1] (the Claim) against the province of British...

B.C.’s forever litigation: first tobacco, then opioids, now ‘forever chemicals’

On June 21, 2024, the B.C. government filed a proposed national class action in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against manufacturers of...

Regulation of ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) in Canada

The federal government recently announced its intention to designate PFAS as a class of toxic substances under CEPA.

B.C. government enforces ‘polluter pays’ principle with Environmental Management Act

Who is considered an owner and what types of facilities are subject to amendments under British Columbia’s Environmental Management Act and...