Appendix C: Summary of National Actions

  1. Joint Federal/Provincial/Territorial Actions under the CCME
  2. Federal-Provincial Agreements
  3. Federal Instruments
  4. Provincial/Territorial Instruments

Federal, provincial and territorial governments all play in role in meeting the obligations under the Stockholm Convention. These actions include the use of:

The CCME is the major intergovernmental forum in Canada for discussion and joint action on environmental issues of national and international concern. CCME works to promote effective intergovernmental cooperation and coordinated approaches to interjurisdictional issues such as air pollution and toxic chemicals. CCME members collectively establish nationally-consistent environmental standards, strategies and objectives so as to achieve a high level of environmental quality across the country.

Specific sub-agreements under the CCME that pertain to POPs include:

Guidelines related to POPs have been developed under the CCME and include:

Additional information on national actions related to POPs can be found at the CCME website.

Under CEPA 1999, federal and provincial/territorial governments can enter into agreements on environmental instruments related to inspections, enforcement, monitoring, reporting, etc. Current agreements include:

Additional information on these agreements can be found on the CEPA Registry.

Federal instruments allow for the management of POPs and include legislation and regulations, policies and programs, guidelines and plans.

The Toxic Substances Management Policy (TSMP), adopted in June 1995, provides for the preventive, precautionary management of toxic substances to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. It guides federal actions domestically and serves as the centerpiece for the Canadian position in international negotiations on managing toxic substances. The policy recognizes the particular problems associated with toxic substances that are in the environment as a result of human activity, that persist in the environment, and that accumulate in organisms. These 'Track 1' substances are targeted for virtual elimination from the environment. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency's Strategy for Implementing the Toxic Substances Management Policy (DIR 99 03) outlines the approach taken under the PCPA for dealing with Track 1 substances in pest control products. POPs that were listed under the Stockholm Convention at its coming into force are managed by Environment Canada under the TSMP. CEPA 1999 instruments are used to achieve the Convention's objectives and the legislation's provisions incorporate the intent and criteria of the TSMP regarding toxics assessment and management.

Legislation and regulations related to substances under the Convention include CEPA 1999 and the PCPA.

More specifically, federal instruments as they relate to the Stockholm Convention include:

Intentionally Produced POPs

Unintentionally Produced POPs

Stockpiles and Wastes

Monitoring and Reporting Tools

All provinces and territories have legislation and regulations to manage air quality, toxic substances and pesticides. Table 2.3.2 in Part I of Canada's National Implementation plan provides a detailed list. Most provinces and territories have an Environmental Protection Act, or the equivalent, with regulations that establish permitting or approvals systems for stationary point sources that discharge pollutants to the atmosphere. Most provinces and territories also have a Pesticides Act or regulations that establish a system for managing pesticide use. Two provinces have a Clean Air Act.

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