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ARCHIVED - Summary Report on the Public Workshops Assisting Environment Canada and Health Canada in Preparing for the Parliamentary Review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Appendix 2 - Workshop Presentation Deck Used by Government Representatives

Welcome to the Edmonton Public Session in preparation for the CEPA 1999 Review

Environment Canada and Health Canada Federal Identiy Program Image

 

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA 1999)

Preparing for the 5 Year Parliamentary Review

Introductory Remarks

Structure of Today's Presentation

  • Introductory Remarks, Including Purpose of Sessions
  • Context of CEPA Review
  • Themes for Today's Workshops
  • Closing Remarks

CEPA Milestones

1970s - Segmented patchwork of federal and provincial environmental laws 1980s - Consultations on federal approach 1988 - Original CEPA enacted 1993 - Review of 1988 CEPA begins 2000 CEPA 1999 enacted 2004 Prep for review

Why We Are Here

  • Legislative requirement that CEPA be reviewed by Parliament every 5 years
  • Parliament will embark on the 2nd Review of the Act sometime after March 2005
  • We need your continuing help in preparing for the Review

Steps in Parliamentary Review of CEPA 1999

  • Preparation phase - mid 2003 to March 31, 2005
  • Parliamentary review - starts on or after April 1 (up to 12 months)
  • Government response - up to 150 days
  • Bill phase if necessary - to 2008

Preparing for CEPA 1999 Review

  • Lessons learned from implementing CEPA over past 5 years
  • Independent EC-HC evaluation of implementation of CEPA 1999 (to be finished by March '05)
  • Advisory Committee (Spring - Fall '04)
  • Public consultations (Winter '05)
  • Ministers' advice to Committee (Spring '05)

Purpose of Sessions

  1. Provide information to assist you in developing and sharing your views on CEPA 1999
  2. Getting your views on CEPA 1999 issues that:
    1. Environment Canada and Health Canada have identified (Scoping Paper)
    2. You wish to raise with us

Preparing for the CEPA 1999 Review

CONTEXT

Overview of CEPA 1999

  • Mandate:
    • CEPA is an Act respecting pollution prevention and the protection of the environment and human health in order to contribute to sustainable development
  • Objectives:
    • Pollution prevention
    • Timely management of toxic substances
    • Virtual elimination of worst toxics
    • Control of wide range of pollutants
    • Encourage public participation
    • Use of wide range of enforcement powers and tools

Overview of CEPA 1999

CEPA 1999 Management Cycle
CEPA 1999 Management Cycle

Risk Management Focus
  • Existing Substances
  • New Substances
    • Chemicals
    • Products of Biotechnology
  • Federal & Aboriginal Lands
  • Protect Marine Environment
  • Transboundary Air and Water Issues
  • Fuels and Engine Emissions
  • Hazardous Wastes
  • Environmental Emergencies

Federal Environmental Legislation

  • Depending on issue of concern (e.g. sectors, substance) different federal authorities come into play, complement action by provinces / territories

Pronvincial Legislation
Click to enlarge

Major laws within the Federal Environmental Management Regime are focused on one or more of three major objectives: managing products; reducing and preventing pollution from emissions and effluents; and, habitat protection, land use and natural resource management. Following are some specific examples: The Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 addresses both product management and the reduction and prevention of pollution from emissions and effluents objectives as does the Pest Control Products Act. Managing Products objective is also addressed by the Food and Drugs Act; the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992; the Feeds Act; the Seeds Act; the Fertilizer Act; the Health of Animals Act and the Hazardous Products Act. The objective of reducing and preventing pollution from emissions and effluents is addressed through the Canada Shipping Act and the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act. This objective as well as that of habitat protection, land use and natural resource management are addressed through the Fisheries Act; the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; the Canada Water Act; the Indian Act; the Northwest Territories Waters Act; the Territorial Lands Act; the MacKenzie Valley Resource Management Act; and the Nunavut Waters & Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act. The objective of habitat protection, land use and natural resource management is also addressed through the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA); the Species at Risk Act; the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; the International River Improvements Act; theInternational Boundary Waters Treaty Act; and, theOceans Act.

Goal: Create a Renewed CEPA that contributes to a Sustainable Environment, Healthy Canadians and a Competitive Economy

What CEPA will provide

Positioning CEPA 1999

Themes For Today
  • Knowledge for protecting health and environment
  • Tools for taking action
  • Fair and efficient Compliance Promotion and Enforcement
  • Information for Canadians

Questions?

Four Themes For Environmental and Health Sustainability

Environmental and Health Sustainability Requires:

  1. Knowledge for protecting human health and the environment
  2. Tools for taking action
  3. Fair and efficient Compliance Promotion and Enforcement
  4. Information for Canadians

Should CEPA be implemented differently or changed

1. Knowledge for Protecting Human Health & Environment

Objective: identify, understand and develop scientific information to assess and manage risks

  • CEPA currently promotes knowledge through various measures, including:
    • Science and technology research
    • Risk assessment of existing substances
  • In assessing and managing risks, CEPA requires application of the precautionary principle
2. Tools for Taking Action

Objective: enable timely and effective risk management using most appropriate risk management measures

  • Pollution Prevention is the foundation of CEPA
  • CEPA has a flexible and wide range of tools to manage risks, including codes of practice, guidelines, economic instruments, pollution prevention plans and regulations
  • CEPA allows us to harmonise with tools of others (provinces, federal departments, etc.)
3. Fair and Efficient Compliance Promotion & Enforcement

Objective: at minimum, enable compliance and fair, efficient enforcement with appropriate penalties

  • CEPA has a wide range of compliance promotion practices, including provision of information on pollution prevention, regulation development and educational material
  • CEPA provides a modern suite of enforcement tools, including warnings, environmental protection compliance orders, environmental protection alternative measures and stiff penalties
4. Information for Canadians

Objective: generate knowledge, provide access to information on human health and environmental quality and effective public participation

  • CEPA has mechanisms to provide information, including the National Pollutant Release Inventory
  • CEPA Registry provides access to wide range of information
  • CEPA encourages public participation

Questions?

 

Thank You

From Today's CEPA 1999 Review Information Team

Paul Glover Health Canada, Director General, Safe Environments Programme

Cynthia Wright Environment Canada, Director General Strategic Priorities Directorate

Warren Wilson Moderator, Intersol

Environment Canada and Health Canada Federal Identiy Program Image

Please send any questions to:

LindaJ.Chandler@ec.gc.ca

Or visit our website

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