Course Overview
Examines environmental law in Canada and explores current trends including air, water and soil quality, municipal and hazardous waste management, and the environmental assessment process. Explores in-depth the current environmental issues, with an emphasis on Canadian industries. Also discusses the roles and impact of the media, partisan politics, and the public.
Prerequisite(s)
- 60% in OCHS 2320
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$222.16 - $685.26 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Explain the relationship between workplace health and safety, public health and safety, and environmental issues.
- Discuss the concept of environmental stewardship as it applies to current business practice.
- Identify the key government agencies (federal, provincial and local) involved in environmental management and protection in Canada and describe their interactions with public and private sector business.
- Identify the key nongovernmental organizations involved in environmental activism in Canada and describe their interactions with government and public and private sector business.
- Discuss the legal requirements for and role of product stewardship programs in Canada.
- Identify key types and sources of air pollutants from business sources in Canada.
- Access and interpret Canadian air pollutant emission statutes and regulations.
- Identify the key types and sources of water pollutants from business sources in Canada.
- Access and interpret Canadian water pollutant emission statutes and regulations.
- Identify key types and sources of soil pollutants from business sources in Canada.
- Access and interpret soil pollutant emission statutes and regulations.
- Identify key types and sources of soil pollutants from business sources in Canada.
- Access and interpret soil pollutant emission statutes and regulations.
- Identify the key types and sources of solid and hazardous wastes from business sources in Canada.
- Access and interpret Canadian solid and hazardous waste management and disposal statutes and regulations.
- Explain and on behalf of an employer effectively work as part of an in-house environmental assessment compliance team as per the current federal and provincial environmental assessment processes.
- Explain and on behalf of an employer effectively work as part of an in-house environmental site assessment team completing Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments as per CSA Z768 and Z769.
- Explain and on behalf of an employer effective work as part of an in-house team implementing and managing an environmental management system as per the ISO 14000 series of standards and CSA-ISO14001 and 14004.
- Suggest ways in which environmental management can be effectively integrated into OHS management systems and practices.
- Successfully answer the environmental practices competency questions on the current CRSPEX.
- Provide an employer with the necessary skills to fill the modern position of safety, health and environment (SHE) practitioner.
- Discuss the role of Indigenous peoples in environmental stewardship and protection in Canada and describe their interactions with the government, public and private sector business.
- Discuss the challenges and opportunities of new technologies on the environment ranging from government policy, carbon pricing, climate change, a circular economy and new materials.
Effective as of Fall 2022
Related Programs
Environmental Management (OCHS 4520) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Health Sciences
- Advanced Safety Management
Certificate Part-time
- Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners
Associate Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below are two offerings of OCHS 4520 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 32749
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 32749
- $685.26 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 27 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Gurleen Bhatia
Course outline
Important information
- Guided learning format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is an *** ONLINE *** Distance Education course. Internet access is required. Ensure you have an active e-mail address on file with BCIT, as you will receive a confirmation e-mail upon registration. COURSE MATERIALS / BOOKSTORE: The above price is for tuition only. If applicable, the required course materials can be purchased from the BCIT Distance and Online Bookstore at: www.bcitbookstore.ca/bcit/ ACCESS: Available on the first day of the term. Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca SPONSORED STUDENTS: www.bcit.ca/admission/tuition-fees/sponsorship/ This course will be offered again in the Winter Term (January - March)
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
CRN 32915
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 32915
- $222.16 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 27 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Gurleen Bhatia
Course outline
Important information
- Available for re-registration (course extension) only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This Re-Registration is ONLY for students, who have received permission to extend their course for another 12-week term at a reduced cost to complete all the course requirements pending from the previous term. ACCESS: Available on the first day of the term. Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
Winter 2027
Below are two offerings of OCHS 4520 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 45899
Dates
Jan 04 - Mar 25 Loading
- CRN 45899
- $685.26 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Mar 25 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Guided learning format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This Distance Education course is delivered through a combination of: PRINT (Course Manual) + ONLINE - including online exams. Internet access is required. To be successful, plan to spend 8-12 hours per week on your studies, starting Week 1. Tutor support is available by e-mail (or by phone, if pre-arranged). Upon registration, expect to receive a confirmation e-mail entitled “OCHS 4520 - Winter Term - Course Information from BCIT”. Ensure you have an active e-mail address on file with BCIT so you don't miss this important e-mail. PRINT COURSE MANUAL / BOOKSTORE: The above price is for tuition only. The Course Manual is additional. Place your order with the BCIT Bookstore online at www.bcit.ca/bookstore/ or by phone at 604-432-8379 / 1-877-333-8379 (option 3) - end November. ONLINE COMPONENT: Accessible the morning of January term start - and includes the: Course Outline, Course Study Guide, Assignment Package, module Self-Tests, and MidTerm/Final Exams. Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca. SPONSORED STUDENTS: Information is available on the BCIT website. For course registration: www.bcit.ca/admission/fees/sponsorship.shtml. For course materials: www.bcit.ca/bookstore/sponsored.shtml. It is recommended that a “Proposed Program” (outlining the entire OH&S 45-credit Certificate) be requested by contacting the Program Head, Dave Wood at 604-432-8220 / 1-800-663-6542, ext. 8220 or David_Wood@bcit.ca. This “Proposed Program” will assist both sponsor and sponsored student with overall course planning and costs. Contact with the Program Head should be made at least 4 weeks prior to term start. IMPORTANT: Late registration will NOT be accepted (registration closes the day before the term starts - subject to availability). This course will be offered again in the Spring Term (April-June). Registration will open end February -- online or by phone (604-434-1610 / 1-866-434-1610, option 2).
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
CRN 45900
Dates
Jan 04 - Mar 25 Loading
- CRN 45900
- $222.16 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Mar 25 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Important information
- Available for re-registration (course extension) only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- RE-REGISTER in this section ONLY if you were registered in the previous Fall Term, and did not complete all course requirements. This is a one-time option to extend for another 12-week term at a reduced tuition fee. Course work submitted in the Fall Term will be retained; you are ONLY required to submit outstanding course work. Tutor support available by e-mail (or by phone, if pre-arranged). Upon Re-Registration, expect to receive a confirmation e-mail entitled “OCHS 4520 - Winter Term - Course Information from BCIT”. NO additional print course materials are required from the BCIT Bookstore. The Student Handbook + Request To Write Exam forms will be available prior to the Winter Term at: www.bcit.ca/distance/learnersupport/resources.shtml. Your initial course from the Fall Term will remain open for VIEWING for several years. HOWEVER, access to your Re-Registration course in the Winter Term will be available at January term start. You will need to access the Winter Term of the course in order to submit any outstanding assignments and/or write any outstanding online exams. Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca. NOTE: If you previously completed all course requirements, and failed the course - DO NOT RE-REGISTER. You must register in the Distance Learning course again at full tuition.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.