Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Review Webpage

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA 1999) is the federal government’s primary piece of environmental protection legislation.  It is defined as “An Act respecting pollution prevention and the protection of the environment and human health in order to contribute to sustainable development.”

The Act addresses a wide range of issues from controlling toxic substances to public participation, vehicle emissions, biotechnology, hazardous waste, land-based sources of marine pollution, international air and water pollution, disposal at sea, governmental operations respecting federal and aboriginal lands, enforcement, environmental emergencies and other matters.

CEPA provides for a Parliamentary review of its provisions and implementation.  This review process provides stakeholders and governments with opportunities to determine if the federal Act (Law) is working, and what changes may improve the Act’s performance.

The CEPA 1999 Review is divided into four phases. 

A link is provided to each Phase of the CEPA 1999 review.

• Phase 1 – Preparations for Parliamentary Review: 2004-2005
• Phase 2 – Review of Act by Parliamentary Committee: 2005-2006
• Phase 3 – Government response: 2007
• Phase 4 – Bill phase if the government decides to revise Act: 2008

Parliamentary Review of CEPA (Phase 2)
Parliamentary committees responsible for the Review of CEPA:

• The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
• The Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources

Documentation Available:

• Parliamentary Process Factsheet CEPA October 2005
• The Government of Canada’s CEPA Review website