Environmental Law

Shari Elliott has more than two decades of experience as an Environmental Lawyer. Shari’s experience as a member of the Environmental Group at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt included both litigation and corporate commercial aspects of environmental law.

Since relocating to Barrie with her family Shari has continued to assist private, commercial and municipal clients with environmental matters.

Shari was an advisor to the National Roundtable on Brownfields when the changes to the Environmental Protection Act were first circulated and later become Law. It is these changes that have facilitated much of the development on lands that were moth-balled and would have remain unused to this day.

For the last decade, Shari has been retained to assist multiple clients to obtain approval and navigate the complicated multi-layers of government agencies to manage both soil remediation facilities and large scale fill projects.

Most recently the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has revised the Aggregate Resources Act, and related legislation, to permit for aggregate facilities to accept excess soil to allow these properties to be put to a future use; rather than large abandoned holes in the landscapes across Ontario. This change is welcome to relieve the stress on the limited landfill capacity in Ontario and allow the properties to be returned, in most cases, to agriculture use.

Shari’s philosophy is to work cooperatively with the regulator and clients to obtain the most effective and efficient resolution to environmental compliance issues.

Environmental Law Articles

Ontario's Excess Soil Management Policy Framework

Elliott & Elliott Barrister and Solicitors

February 24, 2019

Ontario’s Excess Soil Management Policy Framework

February 15, 2017

New Risk Assessment Changes for Contaminated Sites

Environmental Law - Elliott & Elliott Barrister and Solicitors

Experience

Assisting with the purchase of an aggregate facility and an amendment to allow for site-specific soil standard for the importation of excess fill for rehabilitation.
Assisting with an expansion of an aggregate licence to include a site-specific soil standard for rehabilitation and returning the site to the pre-excavated condition.
Assisting client to comply with an MECP inspection order, and requirement to test and remove soil not placed in accordance with O. Reg. 406/19.
Assisted the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and the Corporation of the County of Simcoe with updating the Simcoe County Landfill Inventory and all relevant planning polices
Assisted with purchasing a strip mall with on-going environmental impacts to be remediated and redeveloped into a highrise condominium
Assisted a municipality, with an old but not properly decommissioned heating delivery system, draft policies to address impacts if and when discovered
Assisted with ensuring compliance with certificates of approval
Developed soil protocol for multiple commercial fill operations
Retain and manage environmental engineers on behalf of clients and assist with remediation of contaminated lands
Assisted the Corporation of the County of Simcoe, Environmental Department with all legal needs
Partner with experienced litigators to commence and defend court actions related to contaminated lands
Assisted family campground owners with complying with septic system requirements imposed by order of the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Assisting commercial clients with complying with health and safety and environmental regulations
Assisted the Corporation of the County of Simcoe with negotiations for easements on lands adjacent to closed waste management facilities which resulted in a significant decrease in land that needed to be expropriated and the corresponding costs

Testimonials

“Shari is a very knowledgeable environmental lawyer who I often call for advice and to obtain her insight. She ‘knows her stuff’ and when dealing with environmental issues, you need someone very qualified. Shari is that person!”

Melissa KingG2S Environmental Consulting

“Words cannot express the gratitude and satisfaction on a job well done. Excellent knowledge of environmental and always thinking ahead.”

Brian and CathyEnvironmental Client

“Words cannot express the gratitude and satisfaction on a job well done. Excellent knowledge of environmental law and always thinking ahead. Shari involved me in the process of negotiating with the other party, which kept her fee to a minimum. I would highly recommend Elliott and Elliott as a firm experienced in resolving environmental issues.”

G. E. SwalesEnvironmental Client

“I found the law office of Elliott & Elliott to be very professional, and I was extremely pleased with the work they did on my behalf. I would not hesitate to use them again.”

AnonymousContract Client

“The issues surrounding environmental law are frustrating and complex, especially when they directly affect the value of real estate. Shari uses her vast knowledge and connections to plow through the requirements needed to resolve problems and gets the job done. Furthermore, she is able to combine the real estate side of the law, specifically pertaining to the future protection of the client where the environmental concerns need to be disclosed and addressed. What more could you ask for?”

AnonymousBarrie Business Owner

“Throughout the time that we worked together, I found Mrs. Elliott to be hardworking, versatile and professional. Mrs. Elliott provided legal services from real estate transactions, to drafting agreements to providing general legal advice. The quality of her work was always excellent and professional. The legal advice and opinions were straight forward and in easy to understand language and were always completely in a timely manner. Mrs. Elliott took the time to familiarize herself with her clients in order to provide services that went above and beyond legal services. Mrs. Elliott ensured that files were followed through to completion and worked to ensure that files were closed in a reasonable time frame. Sarah from Elliot & Elliot was professional, friendly, and very helpful throughout the purchase and sale of my home. I would highly recommend their services, as they really focus on making your experience as worry-free as possible.”

AnonymousMunicipal Client

We required an expert in Environmental Law and Elliott and Elliott’s professionalism and expertise helped achieve mutually agreeable results for all stakeholders.

Matt CinelliEnvironmental Client