Consultation in Progress

Canada’s Clean Air Act

The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) selected 2 ENGO delegates to co-chair a post-consultation conference call, and to communicate the information with other ENGOs. The meeting took place on November 23, in Ottawa, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm ET.

Selected Delegates:

• Ken Maybee, New Brunswick Lung Association
• Anna Tilman, STORM Coalition

The Government made a general presentation about the Notice of Intent to develop and implemented regulations and other measures to reduce air emissions. Government Officials went through all the questions included in the discussion paper.

To prepare for this meeting, the selected ENGOs reviewed the following documents:

• General Information on Canada’s Clean Air Agenda;
• Notice of Intent (or by clicking on the link under “What’s new” on the CEPA Registry)

Read the Discussion Paper:

The selection criteria included:

• Willingness to communicate with and for other ENGOs;
• Willingness to co-chair a post-consultation ENGO conference call;
• Experience in consulting with the Government of Canada;
• Experience and proven ability to work professionally, constructively and collaboratively in a multi-stakeholder setting;
• Personal/organizational credibility and respect for other participants;
• Ability to bring a national and strategic perspective to the Table;
• Senior representative of an ENGO - ability to represent constituent community;
• RCEN member in good standing and;
• Commitment to the process.

Background Information

Excerpts taken from EC’s website:

“Canada's Clean Air Act will help to reduce emissions of both air pollutants and greenhouse gases and protect human health and the environment.

The Government of Canada shares your concerns about air quality, including indoor air, and climate change.  Many of the activities that cause smog and acid rain also contribute to climate change.

By taking a comprehensive and integrated approach for both air pollutants and greenhouse gases, the government is maximizing the benefits to the health of all Canadians and the environment.  Canada's Clean Air Act is part of a real, results-oriented action plan to clean up the environment and protect the health of Canadians.

Canada’s Clean Air Act will allow the government to:

• Move industry from voluntary compliance to strict enforcement;
• Replace the current ad hoc, patchwork system with clear, consistent, and comprehensive national standards; and
• Institute a holistic approach that doesn’t treat the related issues of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in isolation.”