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Environment • Aboriginal • Energy

Joanna Vince

Partner
Certified Specialist in Environmental Law by The Law Society of Ontario

T: 416-862-4830  E: jvince@willmsshier.com

Bio

Joanna Vince has significant expertise representing a wide range of clients with environmental issues, civil claims and prosecutions, orders and appeals. Joanna was admitted to the bar of Ontario in 2011.

Contaminated Land and Environmental Risk Management

Joanna provides advice about environmental aspects of the purchase, sale, remediation and development of contaminated land. She helps quantify and manage environmental risk, and provides solutions for environmental due diligence and compliance. Joanna also assists with negotiations with environmental regulators to prevent orders and prosecutions.

Environmental Approvals and Assessments

Joanna assists with regulatory process, environmental assessments and approvals for manufacturing and other industry, energy, mining, natural resource and infrastructure projects. She helps clients obtain approvals for air, noise, waste and sewage.

Environmental and Energy Litigation

Joanna represents plaintiffs and defendants in environmental civil litigation. She also defends individuals and companies against environmental regulatory prosecutions.

Joanna appears before administrative tribunals including the Environmental Review Tribunal, Ontario Municipal Board, National Energy Board and Ontario Energy Board to appeal or uphold regulatory orders and approvals. She advocates for client interests in energy and transmission projects and pipelines.

Northern and Aboriginal Law

Joanna advises First Nation and Inuit communities, resource proponents, and environmental boards and tribunals connected with natural resource development in Canada’s near and far north.

Prior Environmental Experience

Joanna has a B.Sc. (Hons., High Distinction) in biology and environmental science, and a Certificate in Environmental Studies.

Joanna’s knowledge of and commitment to environmental issues was recognized by the University of Toronto, which awarded her the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Fellowship and the Douglas Pimlott Scholarship.

Also at the University of Toronto, Joanna assisted with preparing academic papers and books as a research assistant on wind power, carbon taxes and climate change.

Clients

  • Industrial and manufacturing facilities
  • Financial institutions, lenders, insurers and insureds
  • Land developers, property owners, landlords, tenants
  • Construction companies
  • Municipalities
  • Conservation authorities
  • Transit authorities
  • Renewable energy proponents
  • Mining and exploration proponents
  • First Nation and Inuit communities
  • Universities and colleges
  • Individuals

Representative Work

Contaminated Land and Environmental Risk Assessment

  • Pre-purchase Environmental Due Diligence—Assisted a municipality with environmental due diligence on the purchase of a federal harbor with historical contamination, assessed potential environmental risks, liabilities and obligations and provided recommendations for environmental terms in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
  • Remediation at an Ongoing Operation—Assisted a chemical company with strategies to remediate contamination on its and neighbouring properties. Negotiated with the environmental regulator and prevented the regulator from requiring further work and/or issuing an order.  
  • Environmental Lease Terms—Reviewed environmental lease terms for properties owned by a real estate investment trust with Canadian and foreign properties, advised about the REIT’s environmental liabilities and responsibilities, environmental lease terms, and potential claims against tenants. 

Environmental Approvals and Assessments

  • Environmental Compliance Approval—Reviewed noise reports and noise mitigation measures for a transit authority as part of an Environmental Compliance Approval application, facilitated negotiations with the environmental regulator about noise mitigation measures, and ultimately saved the client over $10 million in noise mitigation costs.
  • Opposition to an Environmental Compliance Approval—Made submissions on behalf of a food manufacturer to oppose an application for an ECA by a proposed neighbouring facility.
  • Environmental Assessments—Reviewed prior unsuccessful provincial and federal Environmental Assessments for an aggregate producer, addressed issues raised by intervenors and the review panel, and provided advice about proceeding with a successful EA.

Environmental and Energy Litigation

  • Civil Litigation for Contaminant Migration—Represented property owners impacted by contaminant migration from a neighbouring gas station. The defendant agreed to pay for the cost to complete remedial work and the decrease in property value.
  • Intervention in Pipeline Hearing—Represented a conservation authority to intervene at the National Energy Board on an application to reverse and increase the flow of crude oil through a stretch of pipeline. The NEB adopted much of the client’s evidence, written arguments, and key issues raised.
  • Response to Appeal of an Environmental Compliance Approval—Represented a client before Ontario’s ERT on an appeal opposing the client’s Environmental Compliance Approval.

Northern and Aboriginal Law

Damage to Inuit Land by Mining Exploration—On behalf of an Inuit Association, engaged in negotiations with Environment Canada, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and a mining proponent about impairment of the client’s land and water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition

Organizations

  • Ontario Bar Association—Vice-Chair, Natural Resources and Energy Section Executive Committee; member, Environmental Law Section; Executive Program Coordinator, Young Lawyers Division (2007-)
  • Canadian Bar Association—member
  • Young Women in Law—member (2011-)
  • Young Professionals in Energy—member (2010-)
  • Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters—member, Environment Policy Committee (2014-)
  • Ontario Sustainable Energy Association—member, Policy Committee (2011-)
  • Ontario Environment Industry Association—member, Advocacy Committee (2014-)
  • Canadian  Brownfields Network—member

 

Speaking Engagements

March 21, 2024

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture

More
May 16, 2024

A&WMA Odour Management: Embracing Global Perspectives Conference

More
November 27, 2023

LSO Program: Back to Basics - The Due Diligence Process

More
October 27, 2023

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - Environmental Law

More
April 19, 2023

AGAT Tech Talk Seminar Series

More
May 10, 2023

CANECT 2023 - Air Quality Challenges in Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and Decarbonization

More
March 07, 2023

PDAC 2023 Convention

More
March 16, 2023

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - The Environmental Protection Act

More
September 20, 2022

Berkley Canada 2022 Environmental Conference

More
May 10, 2022

EnviroExchange Webinar Series - Ground Breaking Contaminated Site Cleanups

More
April 28, 2022

CANECT 2022 - Air Quality Challenges: Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and COVID-19 Safe Spaces

More
April 05, 2022 to April 06, 2022

Canadian Brownfields Network Conference: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Brownfield Land Development

More
February 23, 2022

OBA Natural Resources and Energy Law Passport Series – ESG Litigation and Regulation

More
January 18, 2022

The Canadian Institute's 28th Annual Advertising and Marketing Law Conference

More
November 16, 2021

Qualified Persons Community of Ontario (QPCO) Education Series

More
November 15, 2021

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Contaminated Land Transactions

More
November 10, 2021

OBA Institute - When Environmental Impacts Seep Across Borders

More
October 25, 2021

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Statutory Regulation of the Environment

More
October 18, 2021

The Law Society of Ontario: The Six-Minute Environmental Lawyer 2021

More
October 07, 2021

Ryerson University - Environmental Law

More
May 19, 2021

CANECT Air Quality Webinar - Environmental Risk and Liability Management

More
May 14, 2020

CANECT 2020 - Air Quality and Climate Change

More
May 10, 2018

CANECT 2018 - Implementing a GHG Reduction and Energy Efficiency Program

More
May 09, 2018

CANECT 2018 - Managing Industrial Air Emissions

More
April 10, 2018

Nunavut Mining Symposium 2018

More
May 03, 2017

CANECT 2017 - Waste Management, Diversion & Stewardship

More
May 02, 2017

CANECT 2017 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More
March 29, 2017

Licensed Engineering Practitioners' Liability Under the New EASR

More
April 26, 2016

CANECT 2016 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More
December 02, 2015

Envirogate 2015: Managing Air and GHG Emissions - The New Essentials

More
April 29, 2015

CANECT 2015 - Waste Management, Reduction, Diversion & Stewardship

More
November 25, 2014

Envirogate 2014: Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More
November 05, 2014

OBA: Cold Truths: Infrastructure Development in the Ring of Fire

More
April 30, 2014

OBA: Developments in D&O Liability for Environmental Contamination

More
April 28, 2014

CANECT 2014: What is Waste? What Should be Waste?

More
April 29, 2014

CANECT 2014: Air Emissions

More
February 07, 2014

OBA Institute 2014 Young Lawyers Division: Charting a Career Path

More
October 03, 2013

Practice Tips and Tools for Environmental Lawyers, Ontario Bar Association

More
June 20, 2013 to June 21, 2013

Canadian Bar Association’s 2013 Annual National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Summit

More
May 28, 2013

Fundamentals of Natural Resources and Energy Practice, Ontario Bar Association

More
April 29, 2013 to May 01, 2013

21st Annual CANECT 2013

More
April 09, 2013

Environmental Liability Seminar, EcoLog Events

More
April 04, 2013

Real Estate Transactions & Contaminated Land, Toronto Lawyers Association

More
April 02, 2013

Wastewater Legislation, Ontario Bar Association Passport Series

More
January 28, 2013 to January 30, 2013

Understanding Environmental Regulations, Educational Program Innovations (EPIC)

More
December 05, 2012

Envirogate – Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More

Articles

March 21, 2024

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture

More
March 07, 2024

A&WMA Odour Management: Embracing Global Perspectives Conference

More
November 27, 2023

LSO Program: Back to Basics - The Due Diligence Process

More
September 25, 2023

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - Environmental Law

More
April 19, 2023

AGAT Tech Talk Seminar Series

More
March 29, 2023

CANECT 2023 - Air Quality Challenges in Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and Decarbonization

More
March 07, 2023

PDAC 2023 Convention

More
February 02, 2023

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - The Environmental Protection Act

More
September 09, 2022

Berkley Canada 2022 Environmental Conference

More
May 10, 2022

EnviroExchange Webinar Series - Ground Breaking Contaminated Site Cleanups

More
April 08, 2022

CANECT 2022 - Air Quality Challenges: Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and COVID-19 Safe Spaces

More
April 05, 2022

Canadian Brownfields Network Conference: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Brownfield Land Development

More
February 23, 2022

OBA Natural Resources and Energy Law Passport Series – ESG Litigation and Regulation

More
January 18, 2022

The Canadian Institute's 28th Annual Advertising and Marketing Law Conference

More
November 16, 2021

Qualified Persons Community of Ontario (QPCO) Education Series

More
November 15, 2021

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Contaminated Land Transactions

More
November 10, 2021

OBA Institute - When Environmental Impacts Seep Across Borders

More
October 25, 2021

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Statutory Regulation of the Environment

More
October 18, 2021

The Law Society of Ontario: The Six-Minute Environmental Lawyer 2021

More
October 07, 2021

Ryerson University - Environmental Law

More
May 19, 2021

CANECT Air Quality Webinar - Environmental Risk and Liability Management

More
March 12, 2020

CANECT 2020 - Air Quality and Climate Change

More
March 22, 2018

CANECT 2018 - Implementing a GHG Reduction and Energy Efficiency Program

More
March 22, 2018

CANECT 2018 - Managing Industrial Air Emissions

More
March 16, 2018

Nunavut Mining Symposium 2018

More
March 17, 2017

CANECT 2017 - Waste Management, Diversion & Stewardship

More
March 17, 2017

CANECT 2017 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More
March 16, 2017

Licensed Engineering Practitioners' Liability Under the New EASR

More
March 23, 2016

CANECT 2016 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More
November 26, 2015

Envirogate 2015: Managing Air and GHG Emissions - The New Essentials

More
January 27, 2015

CANECT 2015 - Waste Management, Reduction, Diversion & Stewardship

More
October 29, 2014

Envirogate 2014: Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More
October 23, 2014

OBA: Cold Truths: Infrastructure Development in the Ring of Fire

More
May 06, 2014

OBA: Developments in D&O Liability for Environmental Contamination

More
February 26, 2014

CANECT 2014: What is Waste? What Should be Waste?

More
February 26, 2014

CANECT 2014: Air Emissions

More
January 07, 2014

OBA Institute 2014 Young Lawyers Division: Charting a Career Path

More
August 26, 2013

Practice Tips and Tools for Environmental Lawyers, Ontario Bar Association

More
May 30, 2013

Canadian Bar Association’s 2013 Annual National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Summit

More
May 14, 2013

Fundamentals of Natural Resources and Energy Practice, Ontario Bar Association

More
April 15, 2013

21st Annual CANECT 2013

More
April 05, 2013

Environmental Liability Seminar, EcoLog Events

More
April 02, 2013

Real Estate Transactions & Contaminated Land, Toronto Lawyers Association

More
March 25, 2013

Wastewater Legislation, Ontario Bar Association Passport Series

More
January 17, 2013

Understanding Environmental Regulations, Educational Program Innovations (EPIC)

More
November 05, 2012

Envirogate – Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More
  • "Gutting the Fisheries Act and Other Federal Environmental Legislation", Influents, Summer 2012 [co-authored with Juli Abouchar]
  • “Looking into the Future of Water: Technology, Energy, Rates, and First Nations’ Rights”, Influents, Spring 2012 [co-authored with Juli Abouchar]
  • “Municipalities Can Benefit from Renewable Energy”, Municipal Lawyer, January 2012
  • “Planning For Asset Management: The Reports on Water Quality, The Wait for Regulation”, Influents, Winter 2011 [co-authored with Juli Abouchar]
  • “How Fit Is It? A Review of the Green Energy Act and the Feed-in Tariff Program For Water and Wastewater Projects”, Influents, Fall 2011, [co-authored with Juli Abouchar]
  • "When the Past Won't Stay Buried: Liability for Historic Contamination in a Post-Berendsen World", Municipal Lawyer, May/June 2011, [co-authored with Marc McAree]
  • “Ottawa’s Proposed National Standards for Municipal Wastewater Receive Mixed Reviews”, Influents, Summer 2011 [co-authored with Juli Abouchar]
  • “The Other Half of the Green Energy Equation: Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency”, Influents, Spring 2011 [co-authored with Juli Abouchar]
  • “Protecting Lake Simcoe: When a Strategy Imposes Legal Limits”, Influents, Winter 2010 [co-authored with Juli Abouchar]
  • “Can Municipalities Regain Power Over Renewable Energy Projects?”, Municipal World, October 2010 [co-authored with Paul Manning]
  • “Municipalities and the Green Energy Act: Benefits, Burdens and Loss of Power”, Municipal World, January 2010 [co-authored with Paul Manning]

Books and Reports

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture

More

A&WMA Odour Management: Embracing Global Perspectives Conference

More

LSO Program: Back to Basics - The Due Diligence Process

More

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - Environmental Law

More

AGAT Tech Talk Seminar Series

More

CANECT 2023 - Air Quality Challenges in Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and Decarbonization

More

PDAC 2023 Convention

More

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - The Environmental Protection Act

More

Berkley Canada 2022 Environmental Conference

More

EnviroExchange Webinar Series - Ground Breaking Contaminated Site Cleanups

More

CANECT 2022 - Air Quality Challenges: Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and COVID-19 Safe Spaces

More

Canadian Brownfields Network Conference: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Brownfield Land Development

More

OBA Natural Resources and Energy Law Passport Series – ESG Litigation and Regulation

More

The Canadian Institute's 28th Annual Advertising and Marketing Law Conference

More

Qualified Persons Community of Ontario (QPCO) Education Series

More

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Contaminated Land Transactions

More

OBA Institute - When Environmental Impacts Seep Across Borders

More

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Statutory Regulation of the Environment

More

The Law Society of Ontario: The Six-Minute Environmental Lawyer 2021

More

Ryerson University - Environmental Law

More

CANECT Air Quality Webinar - Environmental Risk and Liability Management

More

CANECT 2020 - Air Quality and Climate Change

More

CANECT 2018 - Implementing a GHG Reduction and Energy Efficiency Program

More

CANECT 2018 - Managing Industrial Air Emissions

More

Nunavut Mining Symposium 2018

More

CANECT 2017 - Waste Management, Diversion & Stewardship

More

CANECT 2017 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More

Licensed Engineering Practitioners' Liability Under the New EASR

More

CANECT 2016 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More

Envirogate 2015: Managing Air and GHG Emissions - The New Essentials

More

CANECT 2015 - Waste Management, Reduction, Diversion & Stewardship

More

Envirogate 2014: Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More

OBA: Cold Truths: Infrastructure Development in the Ring of Fire

More

OBA: Developments in D&O Liability for Environmental Contamination

More

CANECT 2014: What is Waste? What Should be Waste?

More

CANECT 2014: Air Emissions

More

OBA Institute 2014 Young Lawyers Division: Charting a Career Path

More

Practice Tips and Tools for Environmental Lawyers, Ontario Bar Association

More

Canadian Bar Association’s 2013 Annual National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Summit

More

Fundamentals of Natural Resources and Energy Practice, Ontario Bar Association

More

21st Annual CANECT 2013

More

Environmental Liability Seminar, EcoLog Events

More

Real Estate Transactions & Contaminated Land, Toronto Lawyers Association

More

Wastewater Legislation, Ontario Bar Association Passport Series

More

Understanding Environmental Regulations, Educational Program Innovations (EPIC)

More

Envirogate – Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More

News

March 21, 2024

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture

More
March 07, 2024

A&WMA Odour Management: Embracing Global Perspectives Conference

More
November 27, 2023

LSO Program: Back to Basics - The Due Diligence Process

More
September 25, 2023

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - Environmental Law

More
April 19, 2023

AGAT Tech Talk Seminar Series

More
March 29, 2023

CANECT 2023 - Air Quality Challenges in Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and Decarbonization

More
March 07, 2023

PDAC 2023 Convention

More
February 02, 2023

Toronto Metropolitan University Guest Lecture - The Environmental Protection Act

More
September 09, 2022

Berkley Canada 2022 Environmental Conference

More
May 10, 2022

EnviroExchange Webinar Series - Ground Breaking Contaminated Site Cleanups

More
April 08, 2022

CANECT 2022 - Air Quality Challenges: Environmental Compliance, Climate Change, and COVID-19 Safe Spaces

More
April 05, 2022

Canadian Brownfields Network Conference: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Brownfield Land Development

More
February 23, 2022

OBA Natural Resources and Energy Law Passport Series – ESG Litigation and Regulation

More
January 18, 2022

The Canadian Institute's 28th Annual Advertising and Marketing Law Conference

More
November 16, 2021

Qualified Persons Community of Ontario (QPCO) Education Series

More
November 15, 2021

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Contaminated Land Transactions

More
November 10, 2021

OBA Institute - When Environmental Impacts Seep Across Borders

More
October 25, 2021

Ryerson University Guest Lecture - Statutory Regulation of the Environment

More
October 18, 2021

The Law Society of Ontario: The Six-Minute Environmental Lawyer 2021

More
October 07, 2021

Ryerson University - Environmental Law

More
May 19, 2021

CANECT Air Quality Webinar - Environmental Risk and Liability Management

More
March 12, 2020

CANECT 2020 - Air Quality and Climate Change

More
March 22, 2018

CANECT 2018 - Implementing a GHG Reduction and Energy Efficiency Program

More
March 22, 2018

CANECT 2018 - Managing Industrial Air Emissions

More
March 16, 2018

Nunavut Mining Symposium 2018

More
March 17, 2017

CANECT 2017 - Waste Management, Diversion & Stewardship

More
March 17, 2017

CANECT 2017 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More
March 16, 2017

Licensed Engineering Practitioners' Liability Under the New EASR

More
March 23, 2016

CANECT 2016 - Air, NOD & GHGs: Emissions Regulations & Compliance

More
November 26, 2015

Envirogate 2015: Managing Air and GHG Emissions - The New Essentials

More
January 27, 2015

CANECT 2015 - Waste Management, Reduction, Diversion & Stewardship

More
October 29, 2014

Envirogate 2014: Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More
October 23, 2014

OBA: Cold Truths: Infrastructure Development in the Ring of Fire

More
May 06, 2014

OBA: Developments in D&O Liability for Environmental Contamination

More
February 26, 2014

CANECT 2014: What is Waste? What Should be Waste?

More
February 26, 2014

CANECT 2014: Air Emissions

More
January 07, 2014

OBA Institute 2014 Young Lawyers Division: Charting a Career Path

More
August 26, 2013

Practice Tips and Tools for Environmental Lawyers, Ontario Bar Association

More
May 30, 2013

Canadian Bar Association’s 2013 Annual National Environmental, Energy and Resources Law Summit

More
May 14, 2013

Fundamentals of Natural Resources and Energy Practice, Ontario Bar Association

More
April 15, 2013

21st Annual CANECT 2013

More
April 05, 2013

Environmental Liability Seminar, EcoLog Events

More
April 02, 2013

Real Estate Transactions & Contaminated Land, Toronto Lawyers Association

More
March 25, 2013

Wastewater Legislation, Ontario Bar Association Passport Series

More
January 17, 2013

Understanding Environmental Regulations, Educational Program Innovations (EPIC)

More
November 05, 2012

Envirogate – Dealing with Air, Noise, Odour and GHG Emissions

More

Education

  • Called to the Bars of Ontario (2011), Nunavut (2017), Northwest Territories (2017), and Yukon (2021)
  • Certified as a Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Ontario (2019)
  • J.D., University of Toronto (2010)
  • Certificate in Environmental Studies, University of Toronto (2010)
  • B.Sc. (Hons.), Biology and Environmental Science, University of Toronto (2007)

 

Expertise

"The firm is one of, if not the best enviro law firm in the country ..."

Senior Litigation Counsel