Articles

Image of a finger going along text on a tablet. The below articles are published by the Environmental Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association. Members are encouraged to submit articles.

Editors: Alessia Petricone-Westwood and Joanna Vince.

Today
Today

COURT REJECTS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT'S THIRD PARTY CLAIM AGAINST PRIOR OWNERS/OCCUPANTS

  • April 03, 2018
  • Stan Berger

This article considers the Ontario Superior Court of Justice's recent decision in MVL Leasing Ltd. v CCI Group Inc. 2018 ONSC 1800. The Court granted Rule 21 motions striking third party claims brought by an environmental consultant who was being sued by a purchaser of property for professional negligence and breach of contract.

Environmental Law, Real Property Law

ECOJUSTICE DENIED LEAVE TO INTERVENE AS "FRIEND OF COURT"

  • March 29, 2018
  • Jack D. Coop

This article considers the Ontario Court of Appeal's recent decision in Huang v. Fraser Hillary's Limited, 2018 ONCA 277, in which the court denied Ecojustice leave to intervene in an appeal.

Civil Litigation, Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Environmental Law and 1 more..., Natural Resources and Energy Law

Insurer off-the-hook for Release of Pollutants Caused by Fire

  • March 29, 2018
  • John Georgakopoulos and Matthew Gardner, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

On January 14, 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada denied Precision Plating Ltd.’s (“Precision Plating”) application for leave to appeal the British Columbia Court of Appeal’s (“BCCA”) decision in Precision Plating Ltd. v. Axa Pacific Insurance Co., (“Precision Plating v Axa”).

Civil Litigation, Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Environmental Law and 1 more..., Insurance Law

Ontario Court of Appeal Provides Guidance on Landlord Liability for Historical Contamination

  • February 21, 2018
  • Talia Gordner

Following Sorbam Investments Ltd v Litwack, 2017 ONCA 850, which this article considers landlord liability for historical contamination caused by a dry-cleaning tenant and provides guidance that the act of operating a dry-cleaning business alone is not sufficient to establish a foreseeable risk of contamination to leased lands.

Environmental Law

The Electrification of the Economy: Ontario’s 2017 Long-Term Energy Plan

  • November 30, 2017
  • Richard Wong, Elliot Smith, Jacob Sadikman, Richard King, Rocco Sebastiano, Vince Mazza (Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP)

On October 26, 2017, the Ontario government issued its latest Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) pursuant to the Energy Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016, replacing earlier plans issued in 2013 and 2010. The LTEP, which includes forecasts as far as 2035, sets out the government’s goals and objectives relating to the electricity sector.

Emerging Trends in Environmental Class Actions in Canada

  • November 30, 2017
  • Venetia E.K. Whiting and Scott Azzopardi

A discussion of emerging trends in environmental class actions, including the first certification of an environmental class action in BC; 2017's continued the trend in favour of certifying environmental class actions arising from single-incident torts where responsibility is a common issue; environmental claims dealing with historical and continuous harm with limitation period issues remaining a significant hurdle for plaintiffs.

Environmental Law