Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA)

06/17/2026

There's still time to comment! The deadline has been extended to July 22nd.

Last month the government released a discussion paper proposing to significantly cut federal assessment, approval and permitting processes used to protect the environment and allow Canadians to participate in decisions on major and high-risk projects.

CELA has created an Action Alert to help inform your comments. Tell the government that it should develop - not rollback – environmental safeguards so that Canada’s people and ecosystems are strong and healthy in the future.

https://cela.ca/action-alert-federal-proposal-would-cut-environmental-protection/

06/16/2026

CELA welcomes the reintroduction of the An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands.

In response CELA’s Executive Director, Theresa McClenaghan said:

“It is unconscionable that First Nations drinking water in Canada still lacks the statutory protections that apply everywhere else. This legislation is a critical step toward safe drinking water for First Nations. First Nations have fought for this protection for decades, and CELA stands with them in welcoming this long overdue and important legislation. CELA is undertaking a thorough legal analysis and will share our findings in the coming days.”

CELA is available as a resource to journalists and First Nations communities seeking more information about the bill.

CELA Welcomes Reintroduction of First Nations Clean Water Act, will share analysis in coming days.

06/15/2026

06/03/2026

On May 8th the government released a discussion paper proposing to significantly cut federal assessment, approval and permitting processes used to protect the environment and allow Canadians to participate in decisions on major and high-risk projects.

Tell the government that it should develop, with meaningful public and Indigenous consultation, reforms that actually strengthen – not rollback – environmental safeguards so that Canada’s people and ecosystems are strong and healthy in the future.

Our action alert includes links to our full 20-page submission and a blog summarizing issues. Submit your comment before the June 7 deadline.

Instead of cutting environmental protections, the government should strengthen environmental safeguards and build a sustainable Canada.

05/29/2026

What has CELA been up to in May?

This month's newsletter includes...

💦Updates on three active cases Grassy Narrows First Nation is fighting against mining in their territory

💦Comments on nuclear proposals in Ontario

💦Concern about rollbacks to federal assessment and permitting laws

💦Support for expanded AC program in Toronto + continued call for maximum heat by-law

💦CELA is hiring an articling student for 2027-2028

Swipe through to learn more, and read the full newsletter at https://cela.ca/may-2026-newsletter-intervenor-volume-54-number-1/

05/26/2026

CELA supports the Fighting Extreme Heat in Schools Act, which seeks to address extreme heat in schools, and calls on all parties to support it. CELA released Failing the Future: Extreme Heat in Schools, in April 2025, which highlighted the health and learning impacts of heat on children. The report calls for funding to upgrade infrastructure and ensure that school classrooms are mechanically cooled and a safe maximum temperature standard is set. Climate change will make extreme heat worse and children need a safe place to learn.

https://cela.ca/reports-failing-the-future-extreme-heat-in-schools-and-child-care-settings/

05/20/2026

Grassy Narrows First Nation, represented by CELA and Cavalluzzo LLP, is in court today, challenging the Ontario government's failure to use its legal authority under the Environmental Protection Act to address water pollution in the vicinity of the Madsen Mine.

Sulphate from the gold mining operation is creating dangerous methylmercury in the English-Wabigoon River, compounding a decades-long health and environmental crisis for the community.

This case could set an important precedent for how Ontario regulates industrial activity in watersheds affecting Indigenous communities already burdened by contamination.

05/15/2026

Access to clean drinking water begins long before it reaches the tap - it starts with protecting the sources that communities depend on.

During this webinar, we’ll explore the full range of legal tools available to protect drinking water sources in First Nations communities, from provincial and federal frameworks to band council resolutions.

A key focus of this session will be the federal drinking water protection legislation introduced last year but never passed. We will look at what that bill would mean for First Nations communities, particularly its provisions around protecting drinking water sources.

Participants will also have an opportunity to share what resources, supports, and next steps their communities need most to protect their local drinking water sources.

Hosted by the Canadian Environmental Law Association and the Chiefs of Ontario, this session will be of interest to all First Nations community members, including water technicians, band council and staff.

More information and registration at https://cela.ca/webinar-protecting-water/

05/08/2026

Hamilton deserves clean air—and it’s time the steel industry delivers.

Join us with and for a community webinar on the impacts of ArcelorMittal Dofasco (AMD) steel plant and what we can do to push for clean steel in Hamilton.

You’ll hear from experts, learn how broken air pollution rules are failing residents, and take action by writing to city council for safer air and a healthier future.

AMD made a promise to go cleaner. It’s time they followed through.

👉 Sign up and be part of the push for change. Link in the bio or register here: https://bit.ly/4u0HnxK

04/30/2026

What has CELA been up to in April?

This month's work includes...

- Ongoing impacts from gold mining for Grassy Narrows First Nation

- Public comment opportunities around nuclear waste management and new nuclear development

- Hidden climate cost of Bill 98

- Call for Toronto City Council to protect tenants from extreme heat

- Need for drinking water standard for asbestos

– And more!

Swipe through to learn more, and read the full newsletter at https://cela.ca/e-bulletin/