Canada’s Supreme Court clarifies test for assumption of jurisdiction in tort cases *

Canada - April 27 2012
In its recently released decision in the companion cases of Club Resorts Ltd. v. Van Breda and Club Resorts Ltd. v. Charron, the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the approach that Canadian courts must take in determining whether they have jurisdiction over foreign defendants in tort cases

Co-authors: Justin G. Necpal .

First appeal of renewable energy approval dismissed *

Canada - July 19 2011
On July 18, 2011, Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) issued its highly anticipated decision in Erickson v. Director, Ministry of the Environment, finding that the appellants who had challenged the issuance of a renewable energy approval (REA) for the Kent Breeze Wind Project (the Project) had failed to show that it will cause serious harm to human health.

Co-authors: Dennis E. Mahony, Valerie Helbronner, Tyson Dyck, Michael Fortier.

Ontario court dismisses challenge of renewable energy approval regulation *

Canada - March 4 2011
On March 3, 2011, the Divisional Court of Ontario dismissed an application for judicial review of the minimum setback requirements for large wind energy facilities under Ontario’s Renewable Energy Approval (REA) Regulation (O. Reg. 359/09).

Co-authors: Alexander Smith.

Canadian legislators still debating bill to impose social responsibility standards on mining companies *

Canada - November 2 2009
The federal parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development has extended until January 28, 2010 its review of Bill C-300, a private member’s bill whose stated purpose is to ensure that mining and oil and gas companies with operations in developing countries, and that receive support from the Canadian government, are acting in a manner consistent with environmental best practices and international human rights standards.

Co-authors: Michael Pickersgill.