Is there current provincial legislation that regulates stubble burning?
The Clean Air Act regulates sources of air pollutants. Under the Act, permits are not required for “a fire for the purpose of burning grain stubble or grain straw.” However, this exemption is only from the requirement to obtain a permit. The individual who sets the fire can be charged and may also face a civil lawsuit if the fire causes property damage, a traffic accident or aggravates health problems. The Agriculture Operations Act provides a mechanism for resolving disputes from agricultural nuisances. The nuisance provisions of this Act also provide for the development of guidelines for Normally Accepted Agricultural Practice.
