Environmental Compliance in an Era of Rapid Regulatory Change — November 25
Course Description
Stay current on environmental regulatory requirements and enforcement trends across western Canada with CANECT West’s flagship environmental compliance course. Shaped by attendee feedback from the 2025 event and informed by the priorities of environmental professionals in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the 2026 program delivers a practical, case study-driven examination of current and emerging issues in environmental regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
Course Chair
Guest speakers to date:
- Heather Feil, Manager of Environmental Operations Systems, City of Calgary
- Joel Good, Principal, Senior Consultant, RWDI
- Talia Gordner, Partner, McMillan LLP
- Sara Gregory, Chief Legal Counsel, Governance & Regulatory Affairs, British Columbia Energy Regulator
- Mel Hamilton, P.Eng., Principal Engineer, SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.
- Ian Hattie, Senior Principal Geologist, WSP Canada Inc.
- Alison McGarry, Associate, McMillan LLP
- Canada Energy Regulator (to be announced)
- Stay tuned for additional speaker announcements
November 25 – Course begins 9 AM
Draft Course Agenda
Welcoming & Opening Remarks
Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs): The New Enforcement Reality
- How AMPs differ from prosecutions
- Recent enforcement trends across western Canada
- What inspectors are looking for
- Building documentation that demonstrates due diligence
- Lessons learned from recent enforcement cases
- Municipal by-law enforcement through administrative penalties
- Strategies for responding to AMPs, including appeals and reviews
Modernizing Federal Environmental Legislation: CEPA, the Impact Assessment Act & Building Canada Act
- Impacts of the modernized Canadian Environmental Protection Act
- Toxic substances management
- Reporting obligations
- New chemicals management priorities
- Future regulatory outlook
- Federal Plastics Registry update
- Carbon markets, carbon credits, and greenwashing risks
- Impact Assessment Act reforms and implications for major project approvals
Regulator Update: AER, AEPA & BCER Compliance Developments
- Recent regulatory and policy changes at the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and BC Energy Regulator (BCER)
- Reporting system updates, including OneStop reforms and new submission requirements
- Compliance expectations and enforcement priorities for regulated facilities
- Permitting and approvals processes for energy and major projects
- Liability management and reclamation obligations
- Practical implications for regulated parties and environmental professionals
- Emerging compliance issues from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA)
- Interaction between federal and provincial regulatory frameworks
Forever Chemicals: An Update on the State of PFAS Management in Western Canada
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” continue to present a challenge to government, industry, and environmental professionals in Canada and around the globe. The science is continually evolving as we learn more about PFAS, and therefore governments and private businesses need to keep up with the latest research to protect people and the environment and manage their liability. This presentation will provide an update on the latest developments in western Canada, including PFAS in the news, regulation, policy, and liability management. This presentation will help to inform attendees on the basics of how to:
- identify PFAS sources,
- assess PFAS in products as well as PFAS-related contamination in soil and water,
- maintain regulatory compliance,
- manage PFAS liability, and
- protect human health and the environment.
Practical Environmental Audits
- Preparing for inspections
- Environmental management systems: practical implementation beyond ISO 14001 certification
- Case study examples from real environmental audits and lessons learned AI for compliance management
- Risks of AI-generated regulatory documentation
- Resource challenges for compliance teams
- Ethical considerations and professional association guidance (including APEGA) on AI use
Decarbonization and Climate Resiliency
- Introduce key climate resilience concepts and emerging climate risks.
- Discuss how proponents and municipalities are likely to be affected by a changing climate.
- Share recent climate resilience and adaptation case studies from Western Canada.
- Review available funding programs that can help proponents and municipalities strengthen resilience and prepare for future climate impacts
Maintaining Environmental Compliance: A Municipal Case Study from the City of Calgary
Effective environmental compliance requires more than understanding regulatory requirements. It depends on clear accountability, coordinated systems, and controls that reflect operational risk. This presentation will provide an overview of the City of Calgary’s approach to managing environmental obligations through an environmental management system, with a focus on embedding compliance into municipal operations and strengthening assurance in higher-risk areas.
Closing Remarks and Open Question & Answer Period
- Key takeaways and reflections
- Audience questions
Happy Hour Reception
- Finish the day’s discussions and connect with speakers and attendees over canapés and drinks.
- Generously sponsored by Nimonik.
Course ends 4:45 PM | Happy Hour ends 6:30 PM
EVENT SCHEDULE
8 AM: Registration opens
9 AM: Courses begin
12 PM: Lunch
4:30 PM: Courses finish