Environmental Law & Policy
Supreme Court rules Canada's carbon pricing law is constitutional
On March 25, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision regarding the challenges to the constitutionality of the federal government's carbon pricing system brought by the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. In its decision, the Court ruled 6-3 that the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act was constitutional. Read More
Invitation for Feedback on Revisions to Directive 067
From AER Bulletin 2021-01:
We are seeking feedback on a new edition of Directive 067: Eligibility Requirements for Acquiring and Holding Energy Licences and Approvals. The proposed changes include requiring additional information, particularly financial information, at the time of application and throughout the life cycle to enable us to Read More
Coal mining development in the Rockies: A discussion as to the regulatory, economic and environmental
Coal is in the news again in Alberta. And not for producing power.
Metallurgical – or steel making – coal mines are seeing a potential resurgence in Alberta. At the heart of the matter is the Alberta government’s rescindment of a longstanding policy to prohibit or restrict open pit coal mining in the Eastern Foothills of the Rocky Mountains. This change has re-opened a vigorous debate as to the merits of coal mining in the province. Read More
Issue Brief: Canada's Climate Action Plan
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the federal government released its new climate action plan—A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy (PDF). The plan comes on the heels of the government's tabling of Bill C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, and of investments in climate action in the government's Fall Economic Statement. Read More
Federal government introduces net-zero emissions bill
On November 19, Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathon Wilkinson tabled Bill C-12, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050 in the House of Commons. The legislation, if passed, would require the federal government to set a series of 5-year interim emissions reduction targets beginning in 2030 progressing to the ultimate target of net-zero emissions by 2050. Read More
Gaining Steam: A Regulatory and Policy Framework for Geothermal Energy Development in Alberta
From the Environmental Law Centre website:
In early November, the ELC published Gaining Steam: A Regulatory and Policy Framework for Geothermal Energy Development in Alberta. This publication consists of an executive summary and 4 modules: Read More
Achieving net-zero: How a climate accountability law will get us there
From Ecojustice:
The climate emergency is putting the safety of Canadians at risk. Changing the course of this crisis is within our control — but it will require the federal government to take decisive action now.
Canada has missed every greenhouse gas emission target it has ever set. Without a law that holds our elected leaders accountable for reducing Canada’s emissions, we run the risk of missing our 2030 target and our goal of net-zero by 2050. Read More