A PDF version of this newsletter is found on the Canadian Environmental Law Archive website; click here to open it in a new tab.
Casework
Mining Impacts – On behalf of our client Grassy Narrows First Nation, CELA is reviewing two recent approvals issued this month by Ontario’s Environment Ministry to authorize significant water-takings and wastewater discharges at a proposed gold mine upstream of the Grassy Narrows community.
In addition, the Divisional Court has set May 20, 2026 as the hearing date for Grassy Narrows’ judicial review application regarding the Ministry’s refusal to issue orders to address water pollution in the vicinity of an existing gold mine upstream of the community.
High-Level Risk – CELA encourages the public to comment on the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposal to permanently place high-level radioactive waste underground in the Revell Lake area near Ignace, Ontario. The comment period for the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and the draft Public Participation Plan is open until May 10, 2026. Learn more on CELA’s casework page.
Proposal to Build New Nuclear Station – There is an open comment period related to OPG’s proposal to build Ontario’s largest nuclear facility in Wesleyville. The public can comment on the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and the draft Public Participation Plan until May 7th, 2026. Learn more on CELA’s casework page.
Law Reform
Bill 98’s Hidden Climate Cost – The government of Ontario recently introduced Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Infrastructure Act, 2026. The Bill consists of nine schedules purported to remove barriers to new homes and infrastructure development. However, the bill contains proposals that will fundamentally undermine Ontario’s ability to address the impacts of climate change, including amendments to the Planning Act that would prevent municipalities from addressing climate change in official plans.
The bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy and CELA will present our concerns at an oral deputation in early May. The public can comment on the numerous postings related to Bill 98 on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (deadlines are May 14, 2026) or by written submission to the Committee by Monday, May 4, 2026.
Protect Tenants from Extreme Heat – CELA, along with the Low-Income Energy Network and the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, have prepared a briefing note for Toronto City Council. The by-law is anticipated to be reviewed by the Executive Committee in May. We call on Council to pass a by-law setting a maximum indoor temperature standard of 26oC in all rental units to protect tenants from the serious and potentially fatal health impacts of extreme heat.
In related news, CELA congratulates New Westminster, BC for being the first municipality in Canada to pass an indoor maximum temperature by-law. This is a significant step to protect tenants and we call on other Canadian municipalities to take similar life-saving action.
Canada’s Drinking Water Asbestos Gap – Asbestos is a known carcinogen, yet Canada has no drinking water standard for it – even though many municipalities still use asbestos cement pipes as part of their drinking water infrastructure. CELA, along with Prevent Cancer Now and Friends of the Earth, responded to a federal draft guidance document calling for strong protections for Canadians.
Dofasco: Progress, But Not Enough – ArcelorMittal Dofasco recently shut down its No. 3 coke plant in Hamilton. While this is a positive development for air quality in the community, there is still significant concern about the company’s decarbonization timeline being pushed from 2028 to 2050, and no concrete commitments to phase out coal. CELA recently submitted comments to the MECP regarding Dofasco’s application to renew its Environmental Compliance Approval, asking the province to refuse the renewal unless significant air pollution improvements are made.
Bill 97 Passed – The Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2026 (Bill 97), passed earlier this month. It’s an omnibus budget bill that includes, among other things, the consolidation of 36 conservation authorities into 9 new bodies. CELA is concerned that these changes to conservation authority jurisdiction may impact source water protection committees and in turn put Ontario’s drinking water at risk. Learn more in this recent article in The Narwhal.
Resources
Healthy Environments for Learning Day 2026 – On Thursday, April 23rd, the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and the Environment (CPCHE) and over 50 signatory organizations called for leadership and action to ensure that all children in Canada have access to healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient outdoor learning and play environments. CELA is a founding member of CPCHE. Learn more on CPCHE’s website here.
Need Legal Services?
If you have an environmental justice issue, we may be able to help.
We provide free, confidential legal help to people living on low income as well as vulnerable, under-resourced or Indigenous communities.
We also provide environmental justice legal advice to individuals and groups regardless of income.
Complete an online intake form, call our office at 416-960-2284 or 1-844-755-1420 ext 7216, or email us at articling@cela.ca.
From the Foundation
April Feature
April Feature: This month’s feature from the Canadian Environmental Law Archive is a 1996 brief provided to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources by CELA and the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. The brief discussed the environmental impacts of the mining industry, and recommended that federal environmental regulations which apply to the mining industry should be strengthened and modernized.
April 2026 Newsletter – Intervenor, Volume 53, Number 4
A PDF version of this newsletter is found on the Canadian Environmental Law Archive website; click here to open it in a new tab.
Casework
Mining Impacts – On behalf of our client Grassy Narrows First Nation, CELA is reviewing two recent approvals issued this month by Ontario’s Environment Ministry to authorize significant water-takings and wastewater discharges at a proposed gold mine upstream of the Grassy Narrows community.
In addition, the Divisional Court has set May 20, 2026 as the hearing date for Grassy Narrows’ judicial review application regarding the Ministry’s refusal to issue orders to address water pollution in the vicinity of an existing gold mine upstream of the community.
High-Level Risk – CELA encourages the public to comment on the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposal to permanently place high-level radioactive waste underground in the Revell Lake area near Ignace, Ontario. The comment period for the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and the draft Public Participation Plan is open until May 10, 2026. Learn more on CELA’s casework page.
Proposal to Build New Nuclear Station – There is an open comment period related to OPG’s proposal to build Ontario’s largest nuclear facility in Wesleyville. The public can comment on the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and the draft Public Participation Plan until May 7th, 2026. Learn more on CELA’s casework page.
Law Reform
Bill 98’s Hidden Climate Cost – The government of Ontario recently introduced Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Infrastructure Act, 2026. The Bill consists of nine schedules purported to remove barriers to new homes and infrastructure development. However, the bill contains proposals that will fundamentally undermine Ontario’s ability to address the impacts of climate change, including amendments to the Planning Act that would prevent municipalities from addressing climate change in official plans.
The bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy and CELA will present our concerns at an oral deputation in early May. The public can comment on the numerous postings related to Bill 98 on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (deadlines are May 14, 2026) or by written submission to the Committee by Monday, May 4, 2026.
Protect Tenants from Extreme Heat – CELA, along with the Low-Income Energy Network and the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, have prepared a briefing note for Toronto City Council. The by-law is anticipated to be reviewed by the Executive Committee in May. We call on Council to pass a by-law setting a maximum indoor temperature standard of 26oC in all rental units to protect tenants from the serious and potentially fatal health impacts of extreme heat.
In related news, CELA congratulates New Westminster, BC for being the first municipality in Canada to pass an indoor maximum temperature by-law. This is a significant step to protect tenants and we call on other Canadian municipalities to take similar life-saving action.
Canada’s Drinking Water Asbestos Gap – Asbestos is a known carcinogen, yet Canada has no drinking water standard for it – even though many municipalities still use asbestos cement pipes as part of their drinking water infrastructure. CELA, along with Prevent Cancer Now and Friends of the Earth, responded to a federal draft guidance document calling for strong protections for Canadians.
Dofasco: Progress, But Not Enough – ArcelorMittal Dofasco recently shut down its No. 3 coke plant in Hamilton. While this is a positive development for air quality in the community, there is still significant concern about the company’s decarbonization timeline being pushed from 2028 to 2050, and no concrete commitments to phase out coal. CELA recently submitted comments to the MECP regarding Dofasco’s application to renew its Environmental Compliance Approval, asking the province to refuse the renewal unless significant air pollution improvements are made.
Bill 97 Passed – The Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2026 (Bill 97), passed earlier this month. It’s an omnibus budget bill that includes, among other things, the consolidation of 36 conservation authorities into 9 new bodies. CELA is concerned that these changes to conservation authority jurisdiction may impact source water protection committees and in turn put Ontario’s drinking water at risk. Learn more in this recent article in The Narwhal.
Resources
Healthy Environments for Learning Day 2026 – On Thursday, April 23rd, the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and the Environment (CPCHE) and over 50 signatory organizations called for leadership and action to ensure that all children in Canada have access to healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient outdoor learning and play environments. CELA is a founding member of CPCHE. Learn more on CPCHE’s website here.
Need Legal Services?
If you have an environmental justice issue, we may be able to help.
We provide free, confidential legal help to people living on low income as well as vulnerable, under-resourced or Indigenous communities.
We also provide environmental justice legal advice to individuals and groups regardless of income.
Complete an online intake form, call our office at 416-960-2284 or 1-844-755-1420 ext 7216, or email us at articling@cela.ca.
From the Foundation
April Feature
April Feature: This month’s feature from the Canadian Environmental Law Archive is a 1996 brief provided to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources by CELA and the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. The brief discussed the environmental impacts of the mining industry, and recommended that federal environmental regulations which apply to the mining industry should be strengthened and modernized.
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