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ARTICLE · 16 FEBRUARY 2021

Amendments To The British Columbia Contaminated Sites Regime

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
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On Feb. 1, 2021, the Province of British Columbia brought new obligations for identifying and addressing contaminated sites through amendments to the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the...

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Rick Williams
Rick Williams
Heidi Rolfe
Heidi Rolfe
Melissa Rumbles
Melissa Rumbles
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On Feb. 1, 2021, the Province of British Columbia brought new obligations for identifying and addressing contaminated sites through amendments to the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the associated Contaminated Sites Regulation (the Regulation) into force.

What you need to know

  • The legislation establishes the process for identifying potentially contaminated sites and ensuring that such sites are investigated and remediated as needed after they have been decommissioned, where operations have ceased, or before re-use or redevelopment.
  • B.C. has stated that the amendments to the EMA and Regulation are needed to address weaknesses and gaps in this process.
  • The amendments also impose a number of additional burdens and costs on the owners and operators of commercial and industrial properties in B.C.

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