Natural Law In Practice

Wind Energy Wins Against Wind Energy Opponents
Click on the link above to read a short article by Donnelly Law on appeals of wind farm renewable energy approvals alleging serious harm to human health.  This article is published in the May 2013 Bluffs Advocate (http://www.bluffsadvocate.ca/).
 
 

By: Rachel Mendleson News reporter, Published on Wed May 01 2013
Environmentalists are anxiously awaiting a potentially precedent-setting verdict in a fierce conflict over a proposed quarry on protected Niagara Escarpment lands south of Collingwood, not far from the picturesque Blue Mountains.

The case, which began with Walker Industries’ initial application nearly a decade ago, is now before a judicial review, with a decision expected in the coming months. If approved, some warn it will tip the balance toward those who wish to exploit the riches of the escarpment — and undermine the protections put …

TORONTO — A one-day hearing held Thursday could determine the fate of the proposed quarry expansion west of Duntroon.
The Niagara Escarpment Commission voted last August to challenge the decision of the Consolidated Hearings Board decision that allowed Walker Aggregates to expand its quarry operation.
The initial hearing lasted 139 days over a 13-month period and ended last June in a 2-1 decision in favour of the expansion.
Thursday’s judicial review hearing was held in Osgoode Hall courtroom three in front of a three-judge panel: Justices Tom Lederer, Katherine Swinton, Renee Pomerance. The …

David Donnelly comments on the precedent-setting case to be argued tomorrow to ensure the Niagara Escarpment is protected.  Read it here: http://environmentaldefence.ca/blog/escarpment-blues-legal-battle-stop-massive-quarry-continues
 
 

Mount Nemo Victory Featured in Niagara Escarpment Views Magazine

Read Donnelly Law’s article discussing two recent quarry decisions in the Niagara Escarpment in the latest edition of Environews, the newsletter of the Ontario Bar Association Environmental Law Section.   The link to the full article follows this exerpt.
“Two recent decisions of the Joint Board pursuant to the Consolidated Hearings Act1 create a very confusing legal landscape, with the future direction of development approvals on the Niagara Escarpment hanging in the balance. Very similar facts and arguments in both hearings led to very disparate decisions and a potentially precedent-setting judicial review application …

Torontonians Show their Support at Nathan Phillips Square
 Toronto– Hector the Blue Shark appeared today for a skate on Toronto’s favourite outdoor rink in Nathan Phillips Square.  The spokesfish for the Friends of Hector campaign came to ask Torontonians to send a message to Canada’s government: stop obstructing international efforts to protect the endangered porbeagle shark.

The porbeagle spends much of its life in Canadian waters, and is often referred to as “Canada’s shark”.
Hector skated to raise awareness that Canada is the only country in the world that maintains a directed fishery …

 Toronto – Today, environmental groups applauded a proposed new law that would allow Ontario citizens to speak out to protect the environment and their health without fear of damaging lawsuits meant to intimidate them. Yasir Naqvi, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa Centre, today tabled a private member’s bill – the Protection of Public Participation Act – that targets Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). SLAPPs are civil suits of dubious merit, generally intended to censor, intimidate or silence critics and prevent individuals from voicing concerns about public interest issues. …

Nelson Quarry application has insufficient provisions for endangered species, wetlands and woodlands protection
Toronto,  ON – Environmentalists and community members are overjoyed by today’s  decision of the Joint Board to protect Burlington’s Mount Nemo and  Jefferson Salamander breeding ponds on the farm of the Harmer family.   The decision denies Nelson Aggregate’s proposed 26 million tonne quarry  on the 82 hectare site.
“The Board’s decision is balanced and in  keeping with our belief that development on the Niagara Escarpment, a  UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve must be harmonious with the features and  functions of …

David Donnelly has been invited to participate in a seminar at the Canadian Bar Association’s 3rd Annual Access to Information and Privacy Law Symposium on September 14-15, 2012.  The Annual Privacy and Access Law Symposium focuses on recent developments and trends in privacy and access law. David will speak to his experience on Freedom of Information requests on behalf of clients, the need for expedited process, particularly reduced time and cost. The seminar will discuss the top ten problems with the access to information and how to fix them and will be …