Canada: Environmental Law

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Environmental law articles, insights, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as clean air/pollution, climate change, environmental law and waste management.
Article
Continued Regulatory Reform: Canada’s First Project Of National Interest And Bill C-39
The Canadian government has designated the Pacific Link Pipeline as a project of national interest and introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which proposes sweeping reforms to federal environmental assessment and project approval processes. These changes aim to streamline permitting timelines, reduce regulatory duplication, and coordinate Crown consultations while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous rights.
Canada Environment
MT
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Article
Regulatory Relief For Businesses: Ontario Proposes Removing Mandatory ECA To EASR Transition Requirements
Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has proposed amendments to remove the mandatory January 31, 2027 deadline requiring businesses to transition from Environmental Compliance Approvals to the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry for air emissions. The proposed changes would shift to a change-based transition requirement, allowing companies to continue operating under existing ECAs unless operational modifications trigger the need for transition.
Canada Environment
ML
McMillan LLP
Article
Building Canada Strong: Major Projects Acceleration
Canada's federal government has introduced sweeping regulatory reforms aimed at accelerating major project approvals through compressed timelines and streamlined coordination. The Building Canada's Success Act establishes a one-year federal review period for designated projects while creating new mechanisms for regional preapprovals and consolidated decision-making. These changes fundamentally reshape how infrastructure and resource projects navigate federal environmental assessments and permitting processe
Canada Government
DW
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg
Article
Le droit distillé, partie 2 – La rédaction législative assistée par l’IA et l’Alberta Whisky Act
Le gouvernement de l’Alberta serait devenu le premier au Canada à utiliser l’intelligence artificielle (l’« IA ») pour la rédaction initiale d’une loi, soit l’Alberta Whisky Act (la « Loi »). Les fonctionnaires et les conseillers législatifs ont conservé la responsabilité de l’examen, de la révision et de toutes les étapes d’approbation.
Canada Technology
FF
Fasken (French)
Article
Accelerating Federal Major Projects: Bill C-39’s Proposed Changes To Project Approvals
On September 21, 2026, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, in the House of Commons. Bill C-39 aims to build on recent federal initiatives, including the One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5) and the Major Projects Office, and open new markets, strengthen supply chains, accelerate the development of major projects and unlock natural resources in Canada.
Canada Government
BC
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article
The New Cost Of Environmental Non-Compliance In Québec: $300,000 Per Day
Quebec has dramatically increased minimum environmental fines for designated industrial activities by a factor of ten, with penalties now reaching up to $300,000 per day for contaminant releases. These changes, effective August 13, 2026, apply to nine categories of industrial operations including aluminum smelters, mines, cement plants, and chemical facilities, with fines doubling on first recidivism and tripling thereafter.
Canada Environment
DW
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg
Article
Attorney General Of Canada Fails To Land Knockout Punch Against Application On Climate Change (Maltais v. Minister Of Environment)
Although there is debate about whether the world is suffering from climate change, according to a 2024 United Nations survey, 80 percent of people worldwide want their country to do more about it. Based on measurements of the world’s glaciers, there is certainly scientific evidence that they have receded each year for the past 37 years and that they are melting faster than ever.
Canada Environment
GR
Gardiner Roberts LLP
Article
Changes To Fisheries Act Authorizations Regulations Streamline Application Process
On October 15, 2026, amendments to Canada's Fisheries Act Authorizations Regulations will streamline the application process for projects affecting fish and fish habitat. How will the new risk-based approach to offsetting requirements, deferred financial guarantees, and expanded ministerial powers reshape regulatory compliance for proponents navigating federal environmental approvals?
Canada Environment
ML
McMillan LLP
Article
BC Signs DRIPA Agreement Requiring Simpcw Consent For Yellowhead Copper Project
British Columbia and Simpcw First Nation have entered into a groundbreaking consent-based decision-making agreement under DRIPA that requires Indigenous consent for the Yellowhead Copper Project to proceed. This agreement establishes a new framework where parallel environmental assessments will be conducted—one provincial and one Indigenous—with Simpcw having final authority over project approval within their traditional territory.
Canada Energy
BJ
Bennett Jones LLP
Article
What You Need To Know About The Federal Government’s New Chemical Reporting Obligations
The federal government has introduced mandatory reporting requirements for 200 chemicals under the Chemicals Management Plan, requiring businesses to disclose usage, manufacturing, and import data from 2025. With Phase 1 reporting deadlines approaching in March 2027, companies must assess their obligations and prepare comprehensive submissions covering quantities, facility releases, sales information, and unpublished studies.
Canada Environment
ML
McMillan LLP
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