HIGHLIGHTS

  • Canada ratifies the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. (I.A.1.)
  • The Alberta Energy Regulator initiates a new authorizations process for projects impacting wetlands. (II.B.3.)
  • Alberta Environment and Parks releases the quarterly enforcement report for the third quarter. (IV.A.3.)
  • The Supreme Court of Canada grants leave to appeal the Redwater decision. (IV.F.1.)

I. STATUTORY

A. Federal

1. The Government of Canada ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol, signed 30 years ago, is intended to protect the ozone layer and address climate change. The Kigali amendment addresses hydrofluorocarbons, considered as thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide in contributing to climate change. Canada is the 11th country to ratify the Kigali Amendment. (See also The Regulatory Review, November 2017, II.A.11 for new regulations.)

B. Alberta

1. Bill 20, the Beaver River Basin Water Authorization Act, received first reading on October 30, 2017 and passed third reading on November 2, 2017. The Bill permits two interbasin transfers to address drinking water issues in the County of St. Paul and the Whitefish Lake First Nation. The Bill is available on the website

http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_29/session_3/201703 02_bill-020.pdf.

C. British Columbia

1. A Members' Bill, Bill M 208, Endangered Species Act, 2017, was introduced on November 6, 2017 by Andrew Weaver. The Bill is available on the website https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Fdata%2520%2520ldp%2Fpages%2F41st2nd%2F1st_read%2Fm208-1.htm..

2. A Members' Bill, Bill M 209 was introduced on November 8, 2017 by Andrew Weaver. This is the Right to Roam Act, 2017 which is intended to provide access to public lands, rivers, streams, and lakes, and to ensure that these public areas are used for lawful hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The Bill is available on the website https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/legislation-debates-proceedings/41stparliament/2nd-session/bills/progress-of-bills.

D. Manitoba

1. The second session of the 41st Legislative Assembly adjourned on November 9, 2017 and the third session commenced on November 21, 2017.

E. Northwest Territories

1. The Legislative Assembly is adjourned.

F. Nunavut

1. The first session of the fifth Legislative Assembly began on November 21, 2017. Paul Quassa was elected as Premier. Ministerial appointments include:

  • Elisapee Sheutiapik, Minister of Environment and Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
  • Jeannie Ehaloak, Minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corporation.

G. Saskatchewan

1. Bill 76, The Parks Amendment Act, 2017, was introduced on November 1, 2017. The amendment Bill is available on the website http://docs.legassembly.sk.ca/legdocs/Bills/28L2S/Bill28-76.pdf.

2. Bill 83, The Environmental Management and Protection Amendment Act, 2017, was introduced on November 2, 2017. Among the amendments, the Bill replaces section 4 on 'advisory committees' and section 78 on 'audits and inspections' and adds provisions for 'seizure of objects', 'forfeiture', and 'public information'. The amendment Bill is available on the website http://docs.legassembly.sk.ca/legdocs/Bills/28L2S/Bill28-83.pdf.

3. Bill 85, The Reclaimed Industrial Sites Amendment Act, 2017, was introduced on November 6, 2017. Among the amendments is a provision permitting the transfer of responsibility for a closed site and provision for the establishment of a Fund Advisory Committee. The Bill is available on the website http://docs.legassembly.sk.ca/legdocs/Bills/28L2S/Bill28-85.pdf.

H. Yukon

1. The Legislative Assembly is sitting but there are no changes to report.

To view the full article please click here .

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.