Natural Resources
-
July 12, 2024
Supreme Court declines to hear municipalities’ challenge to CN Rail intermodal hub in Milton
The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear arguments by several southern Ontario municipalities that CN Rail is obligated to seek and obtain requisite approvals under more than 65 listed provincial laws, regulations and municipal bylaws to continue the construction of a $250 million intermodal container facility in Milton, Ont.
-
July 12, 2024
Drastic need for improvement for migrant worker laws | Taneeta Doma
In the summer, many Canadians will sit by the pool to stay cool or heat up the barbeque and enjoy their time with loved ones. At the same time, migrant workers across the country will be working in 30-plus degree weather in the fields or greenhouses, where there may be no shade for their entire shift — all to provide for their loved ones, whom they may see once a year if that.
-
July 11, 2024
Ontario cy-près class action settlement approved over municipal development that increased flood risk
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved a cy-près class action settlement involving residents in the Ontario communities of Oakville and Milton who faced an increased risk of flooding and reduced property values due to municipal development that expanded a flood plain.
-
July 11, 2024
What about those new recycling bins? | Daniel Dylan
Recently, or perhaps again, the Doug Ford government in Ontario has come under fire from environmental advocates for what essentially amounts to rapid and expansive deregulation of established environmental protections in the province. The Ford Government continues to make assertions that it is “cutting red tape” (see Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024) in the province so that it (one assumes the government) can “get it done” (see Bill 162, Get It Done Act, 2024). The “it” in this case being “building more homes faster” (see Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022), “building transit faster” (see Bill 171, Building Transit Faster Act, 2020), and building provincial infrastructure throughout Ontario, among other things.
-
July 10, 2024
Record-breaking heatwave warnings, employer advice on keeping outdoor workers safe
As provinces across the country struggle with soaring temperatures, many are experiencing an increase in heatwaves. Ontario has been hit hard with its fair share of extreme waves, and now B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan are also witnessing record-breaking heatwaves, posing a significant threat to outdoor workers.
-
July 10, 2024
Post-sentencing Code change results in successful appeal in animal rights case
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights organization, asked a troubling question: “Have you ever wondered how someone can be moved to tears by a news story about an abused dog yet feel no remorse over eating a bucket of chicken wings that caused multiple birds to suffer and die?”
-
July 09, 2024
B.C. Court of Appeal rejects gold commissioner's ruling in ownership dispute over gold waste rock
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal regarding the ownership of waste rock and tailings deposited in a lake that were found to contain traces of silver and gold.
-
July 08, 2024
Manitoba regulator running mental wellness challenge for lawyers
The new president of Manitoba’s law society is hoping an ongoing “wellness challenge” for lawyers will put them on the path to minding their mental health while at work. The Law Society of Manitoba’s (LSM) Wellness Challenge 2024, the first of its kind by the regulator, is a voluntary project where participants engage in various wellness activities over an eight-week period. The activities, grouped into two-week slots, began June 17 and will run through to Aug. 9.
-
July 05, 2024
SCC-bound case challenges refusal to publicly disclose court records revealing civil case delays
Does the principle of judicial independence enable judicial leaders to veto, in their absolute discretion, the public release of court records that reveal the extent of civil trial delays in the courts they administer? Absent transparency about courts’ operational performance, is the judicial branch of government sufficiently accountable to the public for its role in managing the courts?
-
July 05, 2024
Ottawa okays $6.9B sale of Teck coal unit to Glencore, signalling new national security M&A regime
In the wake of a thwarted hostile takeover bid last year, the federal government has allowed Switzerland-based Glencore PLC to carry out a more limited, US$6.9 billion acquisition of Vancouver-based Teck Resources Ltd.’s metallurgical coal business, Elk Valley Resources (EVR).