CEN Cross-Caucus Workshop

Merrickville
February 17-19, 2004

Speaking Notes from Martha Kostuch

Harmonization

• ENGO input did improve Harmonization Accord and sub-agreements
• Vision – “Governments working to achieve the highest level of environmental quality for all Canadians”
• Purpose – “To provide a framework and mechanisms to achieve the vision and to guide the development of sub-agreements pursuant to the Accord”
• Sub-agreements on:
• Standards
• Inspection
• Environmental Assessment
• Monitoring and Enforcement (were to have been completed by the spring of 1997) ·
• In developing a two year work plan, ministers will consider sub-agreements in the following areas:
  • Policy and Legislation Development
  • International Agreements
  • Research and Development
  • Environmental Emergency Response
  • State of the Environment Reporting
• Annex to the Accord re: Public and Stakeholder Involvement
• status
• The Accord contains the following clause: “The council of Ministers will review this Accord 5 years after the date of its coming into force.
• Five Year Review:
• Very short time frame for the review (less than 1 month)
• No resources provided to ENGOs to participate in the review
• Only written/electronic input requested
• Consultation (D. Besner and Associates) hired to conduct 5 year review
• Five Year Review totally inadequate
• My comments/input and CCME’s response (see attachment)
• There has been no agreement into additional sub-agreement no into additional pollutants that should be subject to Canada Wide Standards.
• Canada Wide Standards have been or are being developed for:
1. Particulate Matter (PM)
2. Ozone
3. Mercury
4. Dioxins and Furans
5. Benzene
6. Hydrocarbons in soils
• Quality of stakeholder involvement has varied.
• Stakeholder involvement in PM and Ozone has been good.
• Lack of coordination between air issues in Canada

Lessons Learned:

1. ENGO involvement improves outcome – requires commitment of considerable time and energy
2. Need better coordination and communication:
   o between processes
   o between substances
   o between ENGOs involved in different processes
3. Need regular stakeholder input at strategic/policy level
   o priority setting – priority setting workshop
   o consensus approach
   o setting priorities
   o developing strategies
   

 



 

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