Proposed Clean Air Act Unnecessary, Action Not Legislation Needed for Clean Air: Environmental Groups

Ottawa - Environment Minister Rona Ambrose is expected to announce a consultation process for the promised federal Clean Air Act in the coming days. But according to leading environmental groups including Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, David Suzuki Foundation, Pembina Institute, and Environmental Defence, Minister Ambrose already has the tools and information she needs to put strict limits on air pollution in Canada - she just needs to use them.

"Minister Ambrose is essentially re-inventing the wheel here," says Julia Langer of the World Wildlife Fund. "Going through all the hoops to create an entirely new Act could take too long; meanwhile our cities are shrouded in smog."

The groups laud the government's Throne Speech promise of "tangible improvements in our environment, including reductions in pollution," but say these improvements would be accomplished most effectively and efficiently through existing legislation such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

"We already have the tools needed to fight smog and air pollution," says Pierre Sadik of the David Suzuki Foundation. "What has been missing is the political will to force polluters to clean up their act."

The environmental groups have recommended six steps that the federal government can take under existing law through the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to clean Canada's air. These include:

• Set clear and enforceable national and regional targets and timelines for the reduction of emissions that cause smog, including sulphur and nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.
• Implement an action plan to achieve the regional and national targets for these substances, including reductions in emissions from key sources, such as coal-fired power plants, transportation, and industrial facilities.
• Establish a fast-track process for the adoption of regulations under CEPA to reduce the generation or release of toxic substances, including the pollutants that cause smog and global warming.
• Implement a national mercury emission reduction strategy for Canada, reducing the use and release of this extremely toxic air pollutant. The strategy could begin with a mandatory mercury vehicle switch recovery program.
• Implement regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial facilities.
• Establish mandatory Canadian vehicle and engine fuel efficiency standards compatible with California's Clean Car Bill - Canadians will save money at the pump and reduce smog.

"Each of these measures can be introduced now, without the delay that will occur if the federal government pursues a new Act," says Mark Winfield of the Pembina Institute. "Adopting these measures would provide immediate benefits to Canadians' health and quality of life."

The Ontario Medical Association has estimated that poor air quality in Ontario currently results in more than 5,000 premature deaths every year. The association estimates that without action to cut air pollution, within 20 years more than 10,000 people a year will die prematurely as a result of air pollution in that province.

"Canada has fallen well behind other industrialized countries in reducing air pollution and global warming emissions," says Steven Guilbeault of Greenpeace. "Further delays will hurt our economy and our health, and damage our international reputation."

According to a recent analysis of 30 industrialized countries, Canada is lagging behind in the rankings: 27th for sulphur oxides emissions; 26th for nitrogen oxide emissions; 29th for the emission of volatile organic compounds; 28th for carbon monoxide emissions; and 27th for greenhouse gas emissions.

- 30 -

For more information contact: