Part 4 of the Municipalities and Environmental Law Series is brought to you by Community Conserve.
The Municipal Government Act (MGA) defines a brownfield as a commercial or industrial property that is, or possibly is, contaminated; is vacant, derelict or under-utilized; and is suitable for development or redevelopment. Brownfields are located throughout Alberta and can contaminate the environment, detract from the appeal of communities, and hinder economic and social development. In turn, brownfield redevelopment can provide environmental, economic, and social benefit for Albertans.
The fourth and final publication in the Environmental Law Centre’s Municipalities and Environmental Law Series for the Community Conserve project explores how brownfields are managed and regulated in Alberta. For instance, what role does the province play in regulating brownfields and their redevelopment? What role do municipalities play? How do recent changes to the MGA impact a municipality’s ability to regulate brownfields, if at all? Brownfields can also give rise to both civil and regulatory liability. When is a municipality liable for a brownfield? Is it possible to transfer liability for a brownfield through a transfer of ownership, a contractual agreement, or otherwise? What protections exist for municipalities against civil and regulatory liability for brownfields?
For an in-depth discussion of these questions and more, please visit “Municipalities and Brownfields” on the Community Conserve website by clicking here.
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For enquiries, please contact:
Matt Dow
Policy Analyst
matt@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com