Chapter 13: An Overview of Environmental Legislation Flashcards
What is the difference between acts and regulations?
Acts slightly greater force than regulations and punishment for regulations are less severe
What is Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)?
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) administers
(1) dozen Acts of Parlaiment
(2) responsible for meeting numerous obligation spelled out
Address and Report issues:
- Monitoring air and water quality and emissions greenhouse gasses
- Controlling level toxic substances in commercial products
- Forcasting meteorlogical pattering and report weather conditions
- Consulting w Canadians, regulated stakeholders, researchers, governments
- Researching & protecting habitat of migratory birds and species at risk
- Permitted (when necessary) preventing international trade in hazardous waste, recyclable materials and endangered species
Like selling waste to other countries - Promoting, inspecting, and enforcing regulatory requirements
What does the ECCC address and report on?
Address and Report issues:
- Monitoring air and water quality and emissions greenhouse gasses
- Controlling level toxic substances in commercial products
- Forcasting meteorlogical pattering and report weather conditions
- Consulting w Canadians, regulated stakeholders, researchers, governments
- Researching & protecting habitat of migratory birds and species at risk
- Permitted (when necessary) preventing international trade in hazardous waste, recyclable materials and endangered species
Like selling waste to other countries - Promoting, inspecting, and enforcing regulatory requirements
List and explain three Environmental Protection Acts:
1. Department of the Environment Act:
(1971) Established ECCC as department within portfolio Minister of Environment (federal level)
- Prevent (sustainability standard) and enhance quality natural environment,
- ME works with other people
2. Water Governance and Legislation:
Canada’s coastal and iland waters - shared responsibility between federal, provincial and territorial governments and federal departments
Protect water
3. Lake of Woods Control Board Act:
(1921) Defines purpose and powers of Board regulate water levels in Ontario, Manitoba, and US water systems
Include: Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul, Winnipeg, and English Rivers
ECCC represents Canada on the board
Other: Weather Modification Information Act
List and explain two Pollution Prevention Acts:
1. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)
(1999) Cornerstone of Canada’s environmental legislation and important part broader legislative framework
Aim: (1) preventing pollution and (2) protecting environmental and human health
2. Fisheries Act:
Administered by Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, but Minister of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for sections of the Fishers Act deal w water pollution
Plays major role in protecting quality natural environment
Other: (1) Antartic Environmental Protection Act (AEPA) and (2) Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act
List and Explain two Biodiversity Conservation Acts:
1. Species at Risk Act (SARA)
Under ECCC
Main conservation tools:
(1) protect species at risk,
(2) maintain healthy ecosystems
(3) preserve natural heritage
2. Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA)
(1994) Most species protected under Act
- First enacted 1917: implement Migration Birds Convention w US
- Protect harmful human activities (hunting, culling, use for scientific researching)
Others: (1) Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and (2) Canada Wildlife Act
List and Explain two Sustainable Development Acts:
1. Federal Sustainable Development Act
Minister of Environment and Climate Change - responsible development Federal Sustainable Development Strategy:
setting goals and targets federal departments
First adopted in 2010 - ME must provide progress reports every 3 years
2. Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act
Establishes Canadian Foundation for Sustainable Development.
- Fund development tech
Ministers of Environment and Climate Change, Industry and Natural Resource recommend memebers to board directors
Government not good at solutions → assign someone else to do it who knows what to do
Name and Explain two other significant acts:
1. Environmental Enforcement Act
Omnibus legislation created new enforcement tools, amended fine regimes and introduced sentencing provisions to nine existing acts
Promote more effective enforcement of the laws - profect national parks, air, land, water, and wildlife
Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties (EVAMPA)
- Authorises establishment fair administrative monetary penalties
2. Canadian Environment Week Act:
Designates week which June 5 occurs as Canadian Environmental Week
Others:
- Impact Assessment Act
- National Wildlife Week Act
- Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act
What are the purpose of ECCC regulations?
Regulations: (rule you “should” follow and punishment less severe)
- Used achieve environmental objectives & meet obligations
- Legal enforceable instruments create different kinds requirements:
- restrictions on some
- autorisation on others to improve scientific research or commercial activities in an environmental sustainable manner
- Reporting, monitoring, research, sharing info
ECCC: one most active regulators (70 regualtions require certain activities or industries)
List the ECCC’s regulations
- Antarctic Environmental Protection Act (AEPA) Regulations
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) 1999 Regulations
- Energy and Transportation Sectors Regulations
- Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
- Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations
- Migratory Birds Regulations
- Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations
- Fisheries Act Regulations
- Weather Modification Information Regulations
- Wildlife Area Regulations
- Disposal at Sea Regulations
- Deposit Out of the Normal Course of Events Notification Regulations
- Disposal at Sea Permit Fee Regulations
- International River Improvement Regulations
