Canada
InternationalBackground
Following the legislated categorization of the Domestic Substances List, the Canadian government launched the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) in December 2006 to deal with chemicals flagged by the categorization process.
The gathering of information and assessment of chemicals in the CMP is scheduled to happen at a pace that is challenging to both government officials and interested parties. A significant part of this work comes under the Challenge program, which includes the evaluation of the 200 highest priority chemicals released in batches every three months. With batches containing 15 or more substances being released every three months, there is little time for civil society groups to do the research needed to provide effective evidence-based input.
To best develop a case for the appropriate management of substances, civil society participants need information on their potential health and environmental effects, the likelihood of exposure, the existence of alternatives and the evidence for their safety. Stakeholders need the capacity to evaluate existing information and identify gaps.
The purpose of this project is to fill that need for civil society. To facilitate stakeholder input, the Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) and Environmental Defence (ED) will gather and analyse the information available on substances listed in the CMP, summarize it in ways that are accessible to the broader community and disseminate the information in various formats. In addition, the project will allow RCEN and ED to track CMP deadlines and milestones and actively engage civil society members, supporting their input into decision-making.
This project will enhance civil society capacity to participate in CMP processes and to better respond to the speed and complexity of the work underway. The RCEN and Environmental Defence’s work will increase the number of groups who can respond and enhance the quality of their input. This will be done by providing accessible information, an evidence-based platform for them to build their submissions on, and opportunities for collaboration among stakeholder groups.
RCEN and Environmental Defence gratefully acknowledge the financial support of Health Canada on this project.
