Guest Blog – Bill 245 Denies Access to Justice in Environmental and Land-Use Cases

The ability of the Ontario public to have their voices heard in decisions that affect their community is a fundamental feature of democratic societies. The province’s latest omnibus Bill, 245, Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021, threatens this right in the environmental and land-use decision-making process.

ERT Decision – Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations vs. MECP re Permit to Take Water

The Environmental Review Tribunal has granted the Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations (FOTTSA), represented by CELA lawyers, leave to appeal a Permit to Take Water issued by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks under the Ontario Water Resources Act. The Permit concerns aggregate washing for a gravel pit operation in Tiny Township, Simcoe County.

Analysis of Ontario Bill 245: Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021

CELA has prepared an analysis of Schedules 6 and 10 of Ontario Bill 245, which proposes various reforms to the province's administrative law framework for adjudicating environmental and land use planning appeals. Download CELA's full brief here: CELA-Brief-Bill 245-March 2,…

Blog: Ministry’s New Statement of Environmental Values Ignores Long-Standing Problems

CELA Counsel Joe Castrilli blogs about proposed amendments to the MECP Statement of Environmental Values that fail to address long-standing problems with a document envisioned as a key pillar in ensuring environmental protection and governmental accountability under Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights.

Blog: CELA in the Courts – An Impressive Track Record Continues

CELA articling student Krystal-Anne Roussel blogs about CELA's legacy of precedent-setting litigation victories, and some of our current cases.