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ARTICLE · 06 DECEMBER 2011

Quebec Toughens Environmental Quality Act

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Leading Quebec environmental lawyer, Jean Piette, advises that substantial changes have been made to the Act on Environmental Quality in Quebec.

CanadaEnvironment
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Leading Quebec environmental lawyer, Jean Piette, advises that substantial changes have been made to the Act on Environmental Quality in Quebec. Changes include a new system of administrative penalties, fines up to $ 18 million, prison sentences of 5 years, a limitation period for prosecutions of five years (unlimited in some cases), new powers to issue orders, new inspection and investigation powers, criminal and civil liability of directors and officers of businesses, and a discretion to refuse or revoke an environmental permit because a director, officer, shareholder or a money lender has committed environmental violations, tax offences or a crime as appropriate. Merci, Jean!

Quebec has also adopted a new policy intended to increase waste diversion.

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