The Canadian Environmental Law Guide provides information on the laws and regulations of Canada's federal government and the leading industrial provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. The guide presents an overview of the major environmental legislation in force and then provides a detailed analysis of the legislation by topic for each of these four jurisdictions.
The most comprehensive guide of its kind, the Canadian Environmental Law Guide is used by manufacturers of all sizes, attorneys, government departments (local, provincial, and federal), municipalities, associations, colleges and universities, libraries, and anyone in the United States who plans to conduct business in Canada where environmental laws and regulations apply.
Benefits
Written in plain language with clear explanations of technical and legal terms offers detailed information on:
- Major federal and provincial acts
- System of precedence between the federal and provincial jurisdictions
- Enforcement systems in place
- Obtaining permits and approvals
- Meeting compliance requirements
- Applicable penalties
Explains how regulations apply in a workplace situation by relating them to specific topics
Incorporates citations to statutes and regulations
Includes newsletter with each update
Topic Areas
- Compliance requirements
- Enforcement system
- Major Acts
- Penalties
- Permit and approval system
- System of precedence between jurisdictions
- Environmental impact assessment
- Climate change
- Major environmental legislation
- Pesticides
- Releases to air
- Releases to land
- Releases to water
- Spills and compensation
- Transportation
- Worker protection
Features
Overviews and Detailed Analysis - Provides an overview of the major environmental legislation in force in each jurisdiction, followed by a detailed analysis of the legislation by topic for each jurisdiction.
Supplementary Materials - Includes extensive supplementary materials, such as permit application forms, lists of toxic substances governed by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and the various authorities' contact addresses and phone numbers.
You will receive a supplemental monthly bulletin up to June 2023 when you purchase this report.
Table of Contents
This is a summary table of contents.
A detailed table of contents precedes each chapter.
NOTE: Users of electronic editions should use bookmarks to navigate to the desired destination.
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
PREFACE
1 Who This Guide Is For
2 Scope
3 Organization of This Guide
4 Updates
5 Other Useful Sources of Information
INTRODUCTION
1 Jurisdiction over the Environment
2 The Canadian Lawmaking Process
3 How Environmental Laws Work
4 A Short History of Environmental Protection in Canada
5 Current Trends in Environmental Law
PART A
CHAPTER A-1
CANADA: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
A CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
1 Application of CEPA
2 Toxic Substances
3 Regulation of Toxic Substances
4 Application of CEPA to Federal Departments and Agencies
5 Environmental Quality Objectives, Guidelines, and Codes of Practice
6 Information Gathering
7 Enforcement and Compliance
8 Review of Decisions
9 Notices
B SPECIES AT RISK ACT (SARA)
1 Administration
2 List and Management of Species and their Habitat
3 Prohibitions and Exemptions
4 Enforcement and Compliance
C FEDERAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ACT
1 Administration
2 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
Supplements
CHAPTER A-2
ALBERTA: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
A ALBERTA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT
1 Environmental Assessment Process
2 The Approval Process
3 Certificate of Variance
4 Certificate of Qualification
5 Security
6 Appeals under AEPEA and the Environmental Appeal Board
7 Release of Substances
8 Hazardous Substances and Pesticides
9 Waste Minimization, Recycling, and Waste Management
10 Enforcement
11 Environmental Protection Orders
12 Remediation Certificates
B RESPONSIBLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ACT
1 Regulations under REDA
2 The Alberta Energy Regulator
Supplements
CHAPTER A-3
BRITISH COLUMBIA: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION A ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT
1 Prohibitions
2 Exemptions
3 Permits
4 Approvals
5 Variance Orders
6 Municipal Waste Management
7 Regulation of Specific Environmental Problems
8 Appeals
9 Access to Information
10 EMA Enforcement and Compliance
11 Liability of Employees and Directors
12 Regulation of Hazardous Waste
B FOREST PRACTICES LEGISLATION
1 Forest Act
2 Forest Practices Code of British Columbia
3 Forest and Range Practices Act
4 Private Land Forest Practices
5 Traditional and Cultural Activities
Supplements
CHAPTER A-4
ONTARIO: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION A ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
1 Administration and Prohibitions
2 Approvals
3 Waste Management
4 Discharge and Spill Reporting
5 Enforcement of EPA
6 Negotiated Settlements for Damage to Crops or Livestock
7 Access to Information
8 Appeals and the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal
9 Offences and Penalties
10 Whistleblower Protection
B ENVIRONMENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS, 1993
1 Public Participation
2 Access to Courts for Private Citizens
3 Protection for Employees
C TOXICS REDUCTION ACT, 2009
Supplements
CHAPTER A-5
QUEBEC: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION A-5 QC 1
1 Environment Quality Act
1.1 Purpose of EQA
1.2 Certificates of Authorization
1.3 Depollution Attestation Process
1.4 Attestation of Environmental Conformity
1.5 Permits for Activities involving Hazardous Materials
1.6 Appeals to the Administrative Tribunal of Quebec
1.7 Residual Materials Disposal Facilities
1.8 Agricultural Waste Management
1.9 Enforcement
2 Sustainable Forest Development Act
2.1 Purpose of the Sustainable Forest Development Act
2.2 Provisions for Native Communities
2.3 Forests on Crown Land
2.4 Permits
2.5 Exceptional Forest Ecosystems
2.6 Protection of Biological Refuges
2.7 Additional Conservation Measures
2.8 Forest Operational Monitoring by the Minister
2.9 Multi-Purpose Roads
2.10 Timber Processing and Marketing
2.11 Timber Supply Guarantees and Harvest Agreements
2.12 Private Forest Development
2.13 Forestry Funding Program
2.14 Forest Protection
2.15 Penalties
Supplements
PART B
CHAPTER B-1
RELEASES OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES TO AIR FEDERAL
1 Canadian Environmental Protection Act
2 Air Emissions Regulations under CEPA
3 Codes of Practice, Guidelines, and Objectives
4 Regulation of Air Pollution under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001
ALBERTA
1 Substance Release Regulation
2 Ozone-Depleting Substances and Halocarbons Regulation
3 Penalties
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Environmental Management Act
2 Regulations under EMA Dealing with Air Contaminants
3 Public Health Act
ONTARIO
1 Environmental Protection Act
2 Air Pollution - Local Air Quality Regulation
3 [Reserved]
4 Ozone Depleting Substances and Other Halocarbons Regulation
5 Motor Vehicles Regulation
6 Sulphur Content of Fuels Regulation and Gasoline Volatility Regulation
7 Boilers Regulation
8 Hot Mix Asphalt Facilities Regulation
9 Mobile PCB Destruction Facilities Regulation
10 Ontario Power Generation Inc. Regulation
11 [Reserved]
12 Airborne Contaminant Discharge Monitoring and Reporting Regulation
13 Industry Emissions - Nitrogen Oxides and Sulphur Dioxide Regulation
14 Emissions Trading Regulation
QUEBEC
1 Environment Quality Act
2 Mandatory Reporting of Certain Emissions of Contaminants into the Atmosphere
3 Cap-and-Trade System for Greenhouse Gas Emission Allowances
4 Regulation of Halocarbons
5 Hot Mix Asphalt Plants
6 Pits and Quarries
7 Pulp and Paper Mills
8 Incineration of Residual Materials
Supplements
CHAPTER B-2
RELEASES OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES TO WATER FEDERAL
1 Canadian Environmental Protection Act
2 Fisheries Act
3 Regulations under the Fisheries Act
4 Canada Shipping Act, 2001
5 Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001
6 Marine Liability Act
7 Canada Water Act
8 Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act
9 Regulations under AWPPA
10 Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
11 Port Authorities Operations Regulations
12 Public Ports and Public Port Facilities Regulations
13 Natural and Man-made Harbour Navigation and Use Regulations
14 Canada National Parks Act
15 Antarctic Environmental Protection Act
16 Codes of Practice, Guidelines, and Objectives
ALBERTA
1 Water Act
2 Potable Water
3 Wastewater and Storm Drainage
4 Industrial Wastewater and Storm Runoff
5 Private Sewage Disposal Systems
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Environmental Management Act
2 Industrial Effluent Regulations under EMA
3 Public Health Act
4 Riparian Areas Protection Act
5 Riparian Areas Regulation
6 Drinking-Water Protection Act
7 Groundwater Protection Regulation
ONTARIO
1 General Prohibition on Water Pollution
2 Discharge Reporting
3 Sewage
4 Wells and Waterworks
5 Local Protection Authorities
6 Water Opportunities Act
7 Water Taking and Transfer
8 Industrial Facilities
9 Enforcement of OWRA
10 Access to Information
11 Appeals and the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal
12 Offences and Penalties
QUEBEC
1 Environment Quality Act
2 Wastewater and Sewage Systems
3 Industrial Discharges
4 Drinking Water Systems
5 Resource Protection and Restoration
Supplements
CHAPTER B-3
RELEASES OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES TO LAND FEDERAL
1 Discharges of Toxic Substances
2 Storage of Toxic Substances
3 Contaminated Land
4 Pipelines
5 Canada National Parks Act
ALBERTA
1 Wastes
2 Contaminated Sites
3 Conservation and Reclamation
4 Storage Tanks
5 Oil and Gas Waste
6 Drainage Districts Act
7 Alberta Land Stewardship Act
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Waste Management
2 Hazardous Materials and Wastes
3 Contaminated Land
4 Induced Seismicity
ONTARIO
1 Waste Management
2 Operation of Waste Disposal Sites on Land
3 Registration and Transportation of Waste
4 Abandoned Motor Vehicles
5 Litter
6 Containers
7 Gasoline Handling
QUEBEC
1 Environment Quality Act
2 Waste Reduction and Recycling
3 Landfilling and Incineration of Residual Materials
4 Hazardous Materials
5 Burial of Contaminated Soils
6 Transfer and Storage of Contaminated Soil
Supplements
CHAPTER B-4
WORKER PROTECTION FEDERAL
1 Hazardous Products Act
2 Hazardous Materials Information Review Act
3 Canada Labour Code
ALBERTA
1 Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act
2 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
3 Other Applicable Legislation
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Workers Compensation Act
2 Mines Act
ONTARIO
1 The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act
2 The Workplace Hazardous Material Information System
3 Other Applicable Legislation
Supplements
CHAPTER B-5
TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS FEDERAL
1 Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992
2 Canada Shipping Act, 2001
3 Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)
ALBERTA
1 Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Act
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Transport of Dangerous Goods Act
ONTARIO
1 Dangerous Goods Transportation Act
QUEBEC
1 Highway Safety Code
Supplements
CHAPTER B-6
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT B-6 1 FEDERAL
1 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012
2 First Nations Environmental Assessment for Oil and Gas
ALBERTA
1 Environmental Assessment Process
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Reviewable Projects
2 Responsible Authorities
3 Environmental Assessment Process
4 Public Participation
5 Enforcement
6 Concurrent Approval
7 Joint Review with Other Jurisdictions
8 Transitional Provisions
9 Significant Projects Streamlining Act
ONTARIO
1 Environmental Assessment Act
2 Reviewable Projects
3 Preparing the Environmental Assessment
4 Ministry Review and Decision on the Application
5 The Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal and the Hearing Process
6 Offences and Penalties
7 Additional Aspects of EAA
8 Other Relevant Legislation
QUEBEC
1 Reviewable Projects
2 Environmental Assessment Process
3 Enforcement
4 James Bay and Northern Quebec
5 De Moinier Region
Supplements
CHAPTER B-7
PESTICIDES FEDERAL
1 Pest Control Products Act
2 Food and Drugs Act
3 Pesticide Residue Compensation Act
ALBERTA
1 General Requirements and Prohibitions
2 Pesticide Classification
3 Supply and Sale of Pesticides
4 Application of Pesticides
5 Special Procedures when Using Pesticides
6 Disposal of Pesticide Containers
7 Disposal of Pesticide Rinsate
8 Transportation of Pesticides
9 Penalties
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Integrated Pest Management Act
2 Municipal Bylaws
ONTARIO
1 Prohibitions
2 Vendor Licences
3 Storage, Handling, and Transportation
4 Extermination
5 Containers
6 DDT
7 Cosmetic Pesticides
8 Neonicotinoid Imidacloprids
9 Cleanup and Protection
10 Appeals
11 Enforcement
Supplements
CHAPTER B-8
SPILLS AND COMPENSATION FEDERAL
1 Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992
2 Canadian Environmental Protection Act
3 Fisheries Act
4 Canada Shipping Act, 2001
5 Marine Liability Act
ALBERTA
1 Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Environmental Management Act and Its Regulations
2 Transport of Dangerous Goods Act
3 Public Health Act
4 Oil and Gas Activities Act
ONTARIO
1 Spills Action Centre
2 Environmental Protection Act
3 Fuel Handling
4 Pesticide Act
5 Ontario Water Resources Act
QUEBEC
1 Environment Quality Act
2 Transportation of Dangerous Substances Regulation
3 Pesticides Act
4 Mining Act
Supplements
CHAPTER B-9
CLIMATE CHANGE FEDERAL
1 Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act
2 Climate Change Plan B-9 CN 2
3 Offset System for Greenhouse Gases
4 Energy Efficiency Act
5 Alternative Fuels Act
6 Renewable Fuels Regulations
7 Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act
8 Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations
9 Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations
10 Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Coal-fired Generation of Electricity Regulations
ALBERTA
1 Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan
2 Carbon Capture and Storage
3 Climate Change and Emissions Management Act
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1 Climate Action Plan
2 Carbon Tax Act
3 Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Cap and Trade) Act
4 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act
5 Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) Act
6 Clean Energy Act
7 Innovative Clean Energy Fund
8 Energy Efficiency Act
9 British Columbia Building Code Regulation
ONTARIO
1 Action Plan on Climate Change
2 Green Energy Act, 2009
3 Approvals for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities
4 Cap and Trade System
5 Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels
