This page has been archived on the Web
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
Base Metal Smelters and Refineries and Zinc Plants – Response to Stakeholders' Comments
Theme Number 5: Development of harmonized regulatory requirements (alignment of federal and provincial programs)
Comments
Some comments were supportive of a regulatory backstop in 2015 or possibly earlier, to legally enforce targets:
- Support a regulatory approach that integrates environmental, social and economic objectives.
- Regulatory backstop should be advanced prior to 2015.
- Timing of regulatory backstop is unclear - the statement that it will occur by 2015 could mean any time before 2015.
Responses
The proposal for pollution prevention planning now by the industry followed by regulations effective in 2015, gives the sector the time necessary to make the process and technological changes to achieve the world class environmental standards for all Canadian smelters.
Comments
Other comments were opposed to regulations by 2015:
- Regulations in 2015 are not reasonable because variability in receiving environments are not contemplated or accounted for.
- Regulatory backstop in 2015 could result in conflict with some provinces.
Responses
The Minister of the Environment is committed to provide leadership and to develop regulations to help harmonize regulatory requirements for all base metal smelters by 2015.
The selection of appropriate standards for inclusion in the regulations will take into account consultations with provinces and stakeholders, existing and new studies, and the results of the Pollution Prevention Plans prepared and implemented by facilities.
Comments
Several comments under this theme were related to how federal and provincial programmes could be complementary:
- The strategy should synergize with provinces, and could include regulations, market-based instruments, and Environmental Performance Agreements.
- Environment Canada needs to engage in bilateral discussions with Manitoba.
- Certain federal targets are more stringent than in provinces.
- Encourage federal government to consider regulations that avoid unnecessary overlap or duplication with provincial regulations and programs, perhaps by considering appropriate provincial requirements as equivalent to federal limits.
Responses
The development of Equivalency Agreements with Provinces, and a full range of environmental strategies can be used. The National Advisory Committee of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA NAC) will continue to be used.
- Summary
- Introduction
- Theme Number 1: The choice/concept of the Pollution Prevention (P2) Planning approach as an effective instrument for the sector
- Theme Number 2: Targets and Schedules - Costs and socio-economic implications of implementing the best available techniques, Suggested site-specific scientific basis
- Theme Number 3: Targets and Schedules as "factors to consider"
- Theme Number 4: The Environmental Code of Practice for Base Metals Smelters and Refineries
- Theme Number 5: Development of harmonized regulatory requirements (alignment of federal and provincial programs)
- Theme Number 6: The process leading to the development of the Proposed Notice
- Theme Number 7: Creation of level playing field
- Theme Number 8: Contribution to the development of the Final Notice and Recommendations to Environment Canada
- References
- Date modified: