Entries by John Nicholson

University of Saskatchewan Researcher awarded $2.5 million to optimize contaminated site remediation approaches

January 18, 2021 in , , /by

Over the last five years, University of Saskatchewan soil scientist and Industrial Research Chair (IRC) Steve Siciliano and his team have developed techniques that can reduce hydrocarbons in the soil by more than 90 per cent.   Now, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) are each providing $1.25 million to renew the five-year term to build on this success and further optimize soil […]

Chedoke Creek spill update: City of Hamilton receives additional Orders from Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks

November 23, 2020 in , , /by

The City of Hamilton, Ontario recently received an additional Provincial Officer’s Order from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks (MECP) as they relate to a spill into Chedoke Creek. In 2019, the MECP ordered the City to complete an Environmental Risk Assessment of Chedoke Creek and an Ecological Risk Assessment for Cootes […]

Chemical Spill by Quebec Mining Company results in $350,000 Fine

November 2, 2020 in , , /by

Breakwater Resources Limited, which operates the Langlois Mine, recently pleaded guilty in the Val‑d’Or, Quebec courthouse to one count of violating the Fisheries Act. The company was fined $350,000. The incident that lead to the eventual fine occurred on February 28th, 2018.  A 500-litre spill of flocculent from the Langlois mining site in Lebel‑sur‑Quévillon resulted in […]

Two Quebec Companies fined for violations of Canada’s PCB Laws

November 2, 2020 in , /by

Two companies based in Quebec were recently fined a total of of $75,000 after each pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching the PCB Regulations made under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The first company, 150 Montréal-Toronto Inc., was fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to the non-compliant storage of PCBs between February 20, 2015, and January 30, 2018, in breach […]

Repurposing: Another Tool to address Alberta’s Backlog of inactive and abandoned oil and gas sites?

November 2, 2020 in , , /by

Written by David McGillivary, Lorne Rollheiser, and Natasha Tames, Gowling WLG The current path to land use reclamation of legacy oil and gas sites in Alberta is often a long one, imposing specific requirements on regulatees during the suspension, abandonment, remediation and reclamation stages of the process.   Companies often hold wells in abandonment status […]

Ontario: Proposal to Provide Additional Flexibility for Excess Soil Reuse

October 30, 2020 in , , , /by

As a result of the COVID-19, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is proposing to extend the grandfathering for infrastructure projects and provide additional flexibility for excess soil reuse.  Under the proposal, amendments to the Excess Soil Regulation (O. Reg. 406/19) and other regulations are to be made so that technical assessments are […]

Canada ranks #1 in investment for cleantech innovation and #16 in cleantech commercialization

October 29, 2020 in , , /by

A recent survey conducted by Eco Canada of cleantech employers in Canada to assess market and industry trends.  Specifically, ECO Canada surveyed cleantech employers to uncover in-demand occupations, skills, trends, and opportunities facing the sector and its workforce.  The survey was conduct prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a global level, clean innovation is a trillion-dollar industry. […]

Who is causing mercury spills in Vancouver’s Stanley Park?

October 5, 2020 in , /by

For the third time in less than a month, a Hazmat Crew was dispatched to Vancouver’s Stanley Park to clean-up a mercury spill.  In each of the incidents, the cause of the spill is either a broken thermometer or broken thermostat. In each incident, it took hazmat teams a couple of hours completely clean up […]

Canadian Company wins $17 million contract to supply environmental response equipment to the Coast Guard

October 2, 2020 in , , /by

Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, recently announced that it has awarded a $1.7 million contract to Can-Ross Environmental Services Ltd. of Oakville, Ontario for the acquisition of 10,000 feet of environmental response equipment known as Tidal Seal Boom. The contract includes options for an additional 8,200 feet.  The award was granted following […]