ARTICLE · 20 SEPTEMBER 2019

Municipal Regulation And The Environment

Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP

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What is the role of a municipality in regulating environmental concerns? What are its powers? What kinds of things should municipalities be considering order

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What is the role of a municipality in regulating environmental concerns? What are its powers? What kinds of things should municipalities be considering in order to promote stable, environmentally sound policies for the benefit of the community? What upfront work can be done to realize on opportunities? Here is some food for thought.

Municipal Powers and the Environment

What powers do municipalities have in relation to environmental matters? In its 2001 decision in Spraytech v. Town of Hudson, the Supreme Court of Canada considered whether that municipality had the authority to implement a cosmetic pesticide ban. Lawn care companies objected to the by-law, saying that it interfered with their rights, granted in their provincial applicator licenses, to apply products that were approved under federal regulations as safe.

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