Matrix of Contents

Conceptions of Law and Environment: Theories and Nature 

1.      The Concept of Law:

1. Legal Positivism:
2. Natural Law:  
3. Critical Legal Studies:
4. Economic and Law:

2.      The Concept of Environment

a.       The Living Environment

(i)     Ecology

(ii)   Ecosystem

b.      The Non Living Environment

c.       Natural Resources:

a.       Land Resources:

b.      Soil

c.       Water Resources:

d.      Air Resources: 

e.       Energy

3.      Environmental Law and Policy

The Canadian Legal System: an introduction the legal system in Canada

1.      The Constitution and Division of Powers

2.      The Charter of Rights and Freedoms

3.      Civil Law / Common Law

4.      Federal, Provincial, Municipal  legal system

5.      How Laws are made

6.      The Role of Law to protect the environment

Environmental Rights: Scope and institutional framework for Environmental law

1.      Federal Environmental Law: Canadian Environmental Protection Act /

2.      Provincial Environmental Law: The Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights

3.      Municipal Environmental Law: Urban Sustainability

The Basic Structure of Environmental Protection: tools to frame complex issues

1.      Private law /Public Law

2.      Civil law / Criminal Law

Environmental Regulations:

1.      Air:  Pollution control

2.      Land: Crown Land, urban planning, land use,

3.      Water: Ontario Clean Water Act,

4.      Soil: Agriculture and GMO’s, Pesticides

5.      Forestry: Forestry Act

6.      Protected Areas: Federal Parks, Provincial Parks, Aboriginal Partnership, Private Landowners, Marine Areas

7.      Energy: Oil, Gas, Coal, Oil Sands, Nuclear Energy.

8.      Biodiversity & Endangered Species: Species at Risk, Habitat Loss, Climate Change.

Integrated Approach to Environmental Assessment:

1.      Origins and Evolution of Environmental Assessment

2.      Canadian Environmental Assessment Act:

3.      Ontario Environmental Assessment Act:

4.      Examine theories and policy applied to a wide range of problems arising in the field of environmental law. 

Conflict Resolutions:

1. Civil Law / Common Law Jurisdiction
2. Proceeding at Courts:  Municipal, Provincial, Federal
3. Tribunals & Dispute resolution

Corporate Environmental Obligations:

1.    Liability of Corporations

2.    Directors and Officers Liability

3.    Environmental Due Diligence

4.    Environmental Audit.

International Environmental Law:

1.    Origins of International law, Treaties and Conventions

2.    Universal and Regional environmental international law

3.    Overview of the international organizations and global governance.

4.    Structure, sources, origins, and enforceability of Treaties and Conventions and relationship to Canadian Law.

Comparative Environmental Law:

1.  South American Environmental System: Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia.

2.  European Environmental System:  European Union, Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain.

3.  Asia Environmental System: Singapore, China, India.