Professionals from across various industries, levels of government and consulting firms gathered at the 2025 CANECT Environmental Compliance and Due Diligence Training Event to deepen their understanding of Ontario’s and Canada’s evolving environmental regulatory landscape.
From spill response and soil reuse to air quality and wastewater compliance, seven interactive sessions over three days, offered practical insights, legal updates, and forecasts for the future.
Attendees also enjoyed networking opportunities during breaks, lunch and evening receptions, which offered many chances to engage with speakers, exhibitors and fellow delegates.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the event, as noted by volunteers from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Professional Access into Employment program, who generously helped out at this year’s CANECT Conference.
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Environmental Compliance for the Aggregate and Construction Industries
Chaired By Blue Heron Environmental
This first-time session provided a deep dive into Ontario’s dual-track system under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) and Planning Act, which governs licensing pits and quarries. A dominant theme was the environmental footprint of transporting aggregate, underscoring the need for local sourcing to reduce GHG emissions.
Speakers addressed updates to Reg. 244/97 and changes to the Endangered Species Act, pointing to a trend toward unified and enforceable standards. Topics such as progressive rehabilitation, Indigenous consultation, and stakeholder engagement were highlighted as compliance essentials.
The rollout of Ontario’s Excess Soil Regulation (O. Reg. 406/19) was scrutinized, particularly regarding implementation confusion in northern regions. The course emphasized proactive planning, public transparency, and regulatory literacy to stay ahead of increasing enforcement trends.
Top Concerns:
- Delays in species-at-risk permitting
- Regulatory inconsistencies between pits vs. quarries
- Managing local objections in zoning and licensing
Dealing with Environmental Emergencies and Spills
Chaired by WeirFoulds LLP
Chaired by environmental law expert Janet Bobechko, this session explored emergency preparedness in the context of climate-related disasters and legal obligations for spill reporting.
WSP Climate Change Advisor and Project Manager for Climate Change Risk and Resilience—Canada, Dan Humphrey, stressed that climate resilience must now be a central component of emergency planning. A “plan-do-check-act” framework was recommended to assess and mitigate risks such as flooding and infrastructure damage.
Bobechko clarified legal duties under Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act, especially Section 15, which requires “forthwith” reporting of spills to the Spills Action Centre (SAC). Non-compliance could lead to fines up to $50,000. The message was clear: when in doubt, report.
Air Quality, Climate Change, and Decarbonization
Chaired by RWDI and Willms and Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP
This wide-ranging session addressed air quality, decarbonization, and GHG reporting, especially under Ontario’s Emissions Performance Standards (EPS).
Participants learned how to integrate land use compatibility, climate risk assessment, and legal tools such as liability checklists into daily operations. Presenters warned that even expired fuel charges might have lingering regulatory implications.
Attention was also given to extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules and PFAS contamination, including new federal reporting requirements for 312 PFAS chemicals. Case studies revealed serious penalties for facilities failing to track or manage emissions appropriately.
Environmental Regulations and Compliance
Chaired by Gowling WLG
Environmental lawyers from Gowling WLG, as well as guest speaker Gord Reusing from GHD, provided critical guidance on navigating overlapping municipal, provincial, and federal laws.
Participants were advised to always use the most current legislation and consult legal updates to avoid costly missteps. A major focus was on Section 9 of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act, differentiating Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs) from Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) registrations.
The course also explored the value of early ministry consultation and monitoring land use changes to reduce air, noise, and odour risks as neighbourhoods evolve.
Environmental Compliance for Water and Wastewater
Chaired by Blue Heron Environmental
Water is regulated across all levels of government, making compliance complex and site-specific. This session broke down generic vs. tailored permits, including Permit To Take Water (PTTWs), sewer bylaws, and federal authorizations.
A key focus was on building an effective water monitoring program, from selecting sampling locations to ensuring proper protocols, data tracking, and QA/QC procedures. Participants reviewed spill definitions, sampling strategies, and the importance of documenting everything — especially in the event of a spill.
The bottom line: know your regulatory triggers, know your data, and know your team.
Ontario’s Excess Soils Regulation and Contaminated Sites
Chaired by WeirFoulds LLP
This in-depth session charted the evolution of Ontario’s Excess Soil Regulation (O. Reg. 406/19) and its key compliance deadline on January 1, 2026, when grandfathered contracts lose their exemptions.
Case studies, including one from the City of Guelph, illustrated the cost and time savings of planning for beneficial reuse sites. Real-world examples highlighted the importance of site-specific soil characterization, such as identifying natural zinc levels.
The growing spotlight on emerging contaminants like PFAS, 1,4-Dioxane, and sulfolane added urgency. Experts discussed the lack of enforceable standards, complicating inclusion in Risk Assessments and Records of Site Condition. Technologies such as biochar filtration and soil flushing are in development, but no single method solves all PFAS challenges.
Key Points:
- Prepare now for 2026 excess soil compliance deadlines
- Understand how geochemistry affects soil reuse
- Watch for regulatory moves on PFAS and other emerging pollutants
- Expect rising enforcement and evolving standards
Environmental Management 2025: Technology, Innovation and Climate Change Resilience
Chaired by Stantec Consulting Ltd.
This popular CANECT course led by environmental management expert Randy Sinukoff of Stantec Consulting Ltd., brought together a wide range of speakers focusing on maximizing environmental performance and maintaining compliance.
Presentations on guidance and revisions for the ISO 14000 family of standards, as well as Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) spoke to the course’s environmental management systems foundation.
Climate adaptation strategies, both through infrastructure investments, risk assessments and insurance, were discussed in presentations from Stantec Consulting Ltd., and Berkley Canada.
Other topics included the human factors behind successful environmental compliance and performance, as well as the transformative role that artificial intelligence is playing.
An insightful exchange occurred during the question & answer session with speaker Shatha Qaqish-Clavering, Executive Director, Climate Positive Energy, University of Toronto:
Audience question: “In light of widespread corporate prioritization of short-term gains, how can professionals in the environmental field effectively advocate for sustainable, long-term solutions—especially when companies remain resistant to investing in such measures?”
Qaqish-Clavering acknowledged the legitimacy of the concern, citing real-world experiences where companies dismiss long-term strategies in favour of immediate financial returns. She emphasized that government intervention, in the form of clear policy direction, economic incentives, and enforcement mechanisms, is often essential to shift behaviour. She noted that mandatory compliance measures, subsidies for sustainable technologies, and enhanced public accountability can compel private sector engagement with long-term environmental solutions.
This exchange captured the core tension at the heart of environmental compliance today: the struggle to align economic incentives with environmental responsibility.
Closing Thoughts
CANECT 2025 underscored a consistent message across all sessions: environmental compliance is getting tougher, broader, and more integrated. Whether managing aggregates, water, air, soil, or emergencies, organizations must invest in planning, training, and transparency to stay ahead of regulatory changes and community expectations.
For more information and to learn about future events, visit: www.canect.net
