Canada: Environmental Law

La Cour suprême de la Colombie-Britannique a confirmé que les engagements convenus en matière de consultation peuvent déterminer la portée requise d’une consultation.

Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has launched a major projects identification committee (MPIC) process for identifying large (10 megawatt or greater) projects. The MPIC is designed to support the provincial government’s latest integrated energy plan, which forecasts significant growth in electricity demand up to 2050. The MPIC webpage can be found here. The IESO will schedule a follow-up webinar in Q3 to provide relevant updates on the MPIC process and discuss progress to date.

Osler's Legislative Update is a bi-weekly listing of new legislation. This issue covers legislation for the period 05/07 to 05/20.

The federal government has introduced ambitious proposals to streamline infrastructure project approvals, building on last year's Building Canada Act. These reforms aim to reduce federal decision timelines to one year and consolidate Indigenous consultations through a new Crown Consultation Hub. The proposals include creating Federal Economic Zones that would exempt certain projects from individual impact assessments and granting Cabinet new authorities to expedite major infrastructure development.

Quebec has published comprehensive amendments to its environmental impact assessment and review procedure, introducing more detailed upfront requirements, expanded public consultation roles, and new ministerial authorities. The changes aim to streamline decision-making while requiring proponents to provide substantially more information at earlier stages of the process.

Assented to on November 29, 2024, Bill No. 63, entitled An Act to amend the Mining Act and other provisions (the “Act”), introduced by the “Minister” of Natural Resources and Forests (the “Minister”), brings significant changes to the legal framework governing mining activities in Québec.

Osler's Legislative Update is a bi-weekly listing of new legislation. This issue covers legislation for the period 03/19 to 04/08.

Canada's efforts to become an energy superpower could become supercharged if the country is able to attract substantial capital and bring the right global partners to the table.

Federally, the Building Canada Act established a new Major Projects Office (MPO) aimed at accelerating nationally significant projects by streamlining federal approvals, coordinating financing...