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Environmental Law

From programming and advocacy to peer recognition and relevant resources, OBA Section membership connects you with education, engagement and leadership opportunities to propel you to the forefront of your area of practice. 

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Resources, Articles, & Advocacy

Advocacy | May 01, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 27

Municipal Codes of Conduct: The Province indicated it will move on long-delayed reforms to Municipal Codes of Conduct before Municipal elections occur in October. It would create a province-wide Code and provide for the removal and disqualification of sitting councilors in serious cases.

Legislative Update | April 27, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 20

OCJ Self Represented Trial Booking: Effective April 27, 2026, the Self Represented Trial Booking Calendar will launch to streamline the scheduling of eligible self-represented trials. These dedicated SharePoint calendars will be accessible to the Judiciary and Crown to allow eligible self-represented trials to be booked directly in the Self-Represented Court (SRC) Courtroom 101.

Legislative Update | April 10, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 6

To The Moon and Back: The Artemis II mission is returning to Earth and will splash down off the coast of San Diego Friday evening. Artemis II was the first journey to the moon in more than 50 years, and paves the way to a moon landing in the near future.

Article | April 09, 2026

Environmental Fines and Penalties: Enforcement Trends for the Natural Resource Sector

Environmental enforcement in the natural resource sector is becoming more active, with regulators relying on larger fines, administrative penalties, and broader compliance tools. Recent developments suggest a growing preference for faster enforcement mechanisms, particularly where regulators are seeking timely compliance outcomes. For regulated parties, this underscores the importance of maintaining strong internal systems, documentation, and environmental compliance practices.

Article | April 09, 2026

Environmental Class Action Legal First: Punitive Damages Certified Against Federal Government for Delay in PFAS “Forever Chemical” Drinking Water Contamination Disclosure

Nathan Adams examines a landmark Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision where the court allowed punitive damages against the federal government in a PFAS class action, finding that a 2.5-year delay in warning residents about contaminated drinking water could amount to “high-handed” conduct; signalling real legal consequences for regulatory inaction.

Advocacy | March 27, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 23

2026 Ontario Budget: On Thursday, the Ontario government released the 2026 Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario. Justice sector spending is projected at $7.3 billion in 2026-27, and the overall deficit for 2026-27 is $13.8 billion, up from the $7.8 billion figure in the 2025 budget. You can read more about the budget and view the full document here.

Advocacy | March 27, 2026

OBA Update - Budget 2026

Justice sector expense is projected to increase from $7.2 billion in 2024–25 to $7.4 billion in 2028–29. Investments in the sector support enhanced border security, the expansion and construction of new correctional institutions, and public safety,

Article | February 18, 2026

Canada's Latest Plastics Decision and What It Means for Your ESG Strategy

On January 30, 2026, the Federal Court of Appeal released a significant decision in Attorney General of Canada v. Responsible Plastic Use Coalition, 2026 FCA 17, reshaping the national conversation on plastics regulation and validating the federal government’s authority to list Plastic Manufactured Items as “toxic” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.