MOECC Proposing Amendments To Cap And Trade Program Regulations

Earlier this month and after consultations launched in 2023 and 2024, the federal government published Canada's State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Report and proposed Risk Management Approach for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Excluding Fluoropolymers.

Canada's Minister of the Environment issued a notice on July 27, 2024, announcing a new mandatory PFAS reporting rule. In some ways, the notice is similar to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)...

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ("PFAS"), a group of several thousand man-made chemicals that include perfluorooctanoic ("PFOS"), perfluorooctanoic acid...

The Government of Canada has amended regulations under the Impact Assessment Act to streamline environmental reviews for major infrastructure projects, particularly interprovincial pipelines. These changes shift regulatory responsibility for certain energy projects to the Canada Energy Regulator while removing other project types from federal review following the Supreme Court's 2024 constitutional ruling.

The Canadian government has removed seven types of energy projects from federal impact assessment requirements, shifting review responsibilities to the Canada Energy Regulator and provincial processes. This regulatory change affects pipelines, electrical transmission lines, oil sands facilities, and power plants, fundamentally altering how major energy infrastructure projects will be evaluated and approved across Canada.

Canadian governments and producer-responsibility organizations are refining extended producer responsibility programs across the country, affecting packaging, batteries, electronics, and hazardous products. Recent regulatory changes include expanded collection obligations, adjusted compliance timelines, and new enforcement measures, with significant developments in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic provinces.

Ontario has launched its first call for expressions of interest in carbon capture and storage licences under the new Geologic Carbon Storage Act, targeting Crown-owned pore space beneath lakebeds surrounding the Ontario Peninsula. The detailed submission requirements reveal expectations that proponents have advanced well beyond initial planning stages, with the process serving as a critical test of Ontario's emerging CCS framework and its attractiveness to industry.

Canada's carbon markets are undergoing significant transformation as federal and provincial governments reshape their climate policies. The federal consumer carbon tax has been eliminated while industrial carbon pricing remains in effect, and provinces like Québec and Alberta have introduced major regulatory reforms to their cap-and-trade and emissions reduction systems.

The amendments streamline multi-agency processes by designating a single responsible authority for each project and enabling one unified federal approval and the creation of a Transportation Project Office.

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's gig economy continues to grow steadily, with nearly half a million Canadians now engaged in this type of work. Many businesses rely on this form of highly flexible labour...

Businesses operating drones in Canada must navigate a complex regulatory framework governed by Transport Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency, and various privacy and property laws. Recent amendments to Canada's drone regulations now permit medium-drone operations and certain beyond visual line-of-sight operations without special certificates.

Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy marks a significant shift in federal AI policy, moving away from standalone legislation toward a comprehensive framework that emphasizes privacy reform, data sovereignty, and business adoption. The Strategy outlines six interconnected pillars designed to position Canada as a global AI leader while addressing regulatory gaps through existing legal frameworks and new policy tools.

A recent decision of the Ontario Energy Board addressed a series of issues arising from the acquisition and renovation of a building for office and storage purposes by Milton Hydro Distribution Inc...

What are the essential requirements for franchise disclosure documents in Ontario? Jennifer Shayko breaks down the key legal obligations franchisors must meet when preparing disclosure documents under the Arthur Wishart Act, covering content requirements, delivery methods, and critical timing considerations that can impact franchise agreements.

Canadian privacy regulators have completed a joint investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT, examining whether the company's collection, use, and disclosure of personal information complies with federal and provincial private-sector privacy legislation. The investigation involved the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada alongside regulators from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, scrutinizing OpenAI's practices in developing and operating its AI chatbot platform.

Ontario is moving forward with changes to the current environmental assessment ("EA") process for municipal infrastructure projects.

As artificial intelligence adoption surges across Canadian enterprises—from 6.1% to 19.2% in just two years—the infrastructure demands are creating unprecedented opportunities in AI data centre development. Meta's $13-billion Alberta facility signals Canada's emergence as a major player, but what legal and commercial complexities must lenders, sponsors and investors navigate in this capital-intensive asset class?

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) represents a transformative opportunity for Canada-Japan trade relations, with Japanese foreign direct investment in Canada reaching $54.8 billion as of 2025. This free trade agreement between Canada and 11 Pacific economies eliminates customs duties and streamlines market entry processes, creating significant advantages for international businesses seeking to expand into the Canadian market.

The Court of Appeal for Ontario has resolved a critical uncertainty in construction law regarding how holdback deficiencies should be calculated when owners fail to retain statutory holdbacks. The decision addresses whether contractors who have already been paid can claim additional priority over construction mortgages, and establishes important boundaries to prevent double recovery while balancing the interests of all parties in the construction pyramid.