The Environmental Law Centre posts on a couple of recent developments. Adam Driedzic posts on Bill C-469: An Act to establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, which recently passed second reading in the House of Commons.
Laura Bowman comments on proposed wastewater regulations under the Fisheries Act.
There is no assurance from regulators that public health and the environment will be adequately protected while municipalities take 10-30 years to comply. These timelines are not consistent with those ordered by the courts on the rare occasions when municipalities have been charged and convicted.
1. Water Supply as a Limiting Factor for a New Town Proposed in the Bow Valley
Water supply may limit a new development-in fact, a new community of up to 5500 residents and over 2900 residential, commercial, and community facilities by 2022-in Alberta's Bow Valley. Public hearings are occurring on March 1 and March 5 at 1 pm and 7 pm, respectively, at the Exshaw Community Hall. Bow Riverkeeper will recommend to Council for the MD of Bighorn to delay approval of the Area Structure Plan (AS) until issues surrounding water supply and wastewater are addressed. Read more »
Alberta Wilderness Association
October 12, 2006
Environmental non-government organizations and the Assembly of First Nations from sea to sea to sea gathered in Ottawa today for a historic meeting with senior Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials to discuss solutions to the crisis facing Canada's fish and fish habitats.
A good part of the meeting focused on the failure to enforce the strongest piece of Canadian environmental legislation, the federal Fisheries Act. Representatives of groups from across Canada expressed dismay at the continuing deterioration of fisheries and the associated regulatory regime. Read more »
