Federal Environmental Law Directory

This page features a directory of Canadian federal environmental legislation and key environmental cases pertaining to federal law. Links to official sources have been provided to the extent reasonably possible, in addition to commentary and explanation resources by Green Economy Law Professional Corporation and other sources.

No guarantee is made as to the currency of those laws or cases made accessible by this page, nor should any commentary or explanation posts or links be construed as legal advice. Please also keep in mind that applicable laws are subject to change. Dates attributed to legislation indicate the original date of the law’s passage or the legislation’s official dated year, not when the law was most recently amended.

If you have questions about Canada’s environmental laws, or you’re looking for legal advice or guidance regarding them, please contact us to see if we can assist you. And if you’re looking to keep up with ongoing climate and environmental law, news, and policy, consider signing up for the firm’s monthly newsletter.

LEGISLATION

CLIMATE CHANGE and SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (2021)

  • Trudeau Unveils Canadian Climate Accountability Law (GELPC Blog, November 24, 2020)

  • Canada Passes Climate Accountability Law, Mandates 2035 Gas Vehicle Phase Out (GELPC Blog, June 30, 2021)

• Impact Assessment Act (2019)

• Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (2018)

  • Understanding Canadian Carbon Pricing (GELPC Webinar Course, 2021)

  • Explaining Canada’s Constitutional Carbon Pricing Decision (GELPC Blog, March 30, 2021)

  • Canada to Review, Consider Expanding Industrial Pricing System (GELPC Blog, March 1, 2021)

  • Canada Begins Formulating Carbon Offset Protocols Under Pollution Pricing System (GELPC Blog, February 16, 2021)

  • Trudeau Government Releases Updated Climate Plan with Increased Carbon Price (GELPC Blog, December 15, 2020)

  • Federal Government Accepts Ontario Emission Performance Standard as Satisfying Pollution Pricing Law (GELPC Blog, October 2, 2020)

• Federal Sustainable Development Act (2008)

• Canada Emission Reduction Incentives Agency Act (2005)

• Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act (2001)

• Energy Efficiency Act (1992)

• Weather Modification Information Act (1985)

POLLUTION AND WASTE

• Environmental Enforcement Act (2009)

• Environmental Violations Administrative Penalties Act (2009)

• Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999)

  • Canada Moves Forward with Zero Waste by 2030 Plan (GELPC Blog, October 15, 2020)

• Department of the Environment Act (1985)

• Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act (1985)

CHEMICALS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (2010)

• Pest Control Products Act (2002)

• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (1992)

• Fertilizers Act (1985)

• Hazardous Products Act (1985)

WATER

• Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act (2002)

• Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (1998)

• Canada Water Act (1985)

• Canadian Navigable Waters Act (1985)

• Dominion Water Power Act (1985)

• Fisheries Act (1985)

• International River Improvements Act (1985)

• International Boundary Waters Treaty Act (1985)

• The Lake of the Woods Control Board Act (1921)

CONSERVATION AND SPECIES PROTECTION

• Species at Risk Act (2002)

• Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994)

• Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (1992)

• Canada Wildlife Act (1985)

Case law

CARBON PRICING

• Reference re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (Supreme Court of Canada, 2021)

  • Understanding Canadian Carbon Pricing (GELPC Webinar Course, 2021)

  • Explaining Canada’s Constitutional Carbon Pricing Decision (GELPC Blog, March 30, 2021)

• Reference re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (Alberta Court of Appeal, 2020)

• Reference re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, 2019)

• Reference re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (Ontario Court of Appeal, 2019)

CLIMATE LITIGATION

• La Rose et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen (Federal Court, 2020)

  • Court to Decide Whether Canada Climate Action Lawsuit Proceeds (GELPC Blog, October 7, 2020)

POLLUTION

• Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd (Supreme Court of Canada, 2019)

  • Reflections on Orphan Well Association v Grant Thornton Ltd (Dalhousie University Blog, February 22, 2019)

• R. v. Hydro-Quebec (Supreme Court of Canada, 1997)

• Ontario v. Canadian Pacific Ltd (Supreme Court of Canada, 1995)

• R. v. Crown Zellerbach Canada Ltd (Supreme Court of Canada, 1988)

  • R v Crown Zellerbach Canada Ltd (Wikipedia.com)

• Interprovincial Co-operatives Ltd et al. v. R. (aka Dryden Chemicals) (Supreme Court of Canada, 1975)

  • Interprovincial Cooperatives Ltd v R (Wikipedia.com)

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

• Reference re Impact Assessment Act, 2022 ABCA 165 (Alberta Court of Appeal, 2022)

• Friends of the Oldman River Society v. Canada (Minister of Transport) (Supreme Court of Canada, 1992)

  • Forcing environmental assessments for all major projects (Ecojustice.ca)