Parliamentary Research Branch

PRB 98-4E

PRESENT AND FUTURE
FEDERAL APPROACHES

Prepared by:
Christine Labelle
Science and Technology Division
October 1998

Studies show that air pollution has indisputable effects on human health (see the section in this document entitled Effects Of Ozone, Sulphates, and Particles On Health). In order to alleviate the many effects of these pollutants and prevent still more serious problems, the federal government and various governmental partners have developed and adopted up a number of legislative tools. In addition, a broad range of programs in this area are being planned, discussed and set up. Following is an overview of the various programs; readers wishing to learn about the various legislative tools are referred to the section entitled Legislative Tools for Reducing Air Pollution in Canada.

In partnership with Environment Canada, Health Canada carries out numerous studies to assess the effects of pollutants on the health of Canadians, particularly in cases of direct exposure. Health Canada monitors human exposure by providing target populations with portable devices for measuring the pollutants with which they come into contact; thus individual exposure can be compared with measured concentrations in the regions being monitored. In addition, under the APHE, programs are set up to monitor various pollutants and assess the risks they pose to health. Health Canada is also considering developing standards and regulations for allowable concentrations of certain pollutants. Described below are efforts to date for assessing the effects of smog on health, increasing scientific knowledge of these pollutants, and developing strategies to eliminate them from the environment in Canada.

For the 12th consecutive year, in 1998 Environment Canada is organizing free clinics for inspecting tailpipe emissions in order to raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining motor vehicles and reducing air pollution. Poorly maintained vehicles, which account for 20% of vehicles on the road, are responsible for 80% of total tailpipe emissions. Environment Canada also provides Canadians with access to the Canadian Weather Office, which issues information on smog conditions.

In 1990, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) adopted the Management Plan for Nitrogen Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds; by 2005 this aimed to reduce (to 82 parts per billion) emissions of pollutants that contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone. This Plan, the first of three phases, initially included 80 national and regional pollutant-reduction initiatives, most of which were successful. At that time, considerable gaps in the scientific data were noted and, as a result, in 1992 the Atmospheric Environment Service (AES) set up the Nitrogen Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds Science Program. Under this program these two types of substances were scientifically assessed in order to obtain the data required by policy-makers in developing emission reduction strategies. The full 1996 report on this assessment of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds can be seen at the following website.

http://www.ec.gc.ca/phase2/science_e.htm (updated August 1998)

On 7 November 1997, the Government of Canada, in partnership with Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Transport Canada, published Phase 2 of the Federal Smog Management Plan (the name of the plan changed after Phase 1 was completed in 1990). Phase 2, emphasizing transportation and industry, included 32 sub-initiatives grouped into the following four main initiatives:

• national and federally led initiatives affecting ozone and particulate matter;

• further initiatives to reduce ozone and particulate matter;

• continuing initiatives to understand and track smog; and

• international initiatives to reduce transboundary flows of smog.

Phase 2 describes provincial initiatives, achievements to date, future phases, recommendations for future federal action, regional initiatives and proposed federal initiatives. Also presented are regional initiatives and programs, proposed action by Canada and the United States, and Phase 3 of the plan. Phase 1, completed in 1990 by the federal and provincial governments, reduced smog, gathered data, and identified a need for Canada-wide air pollution standards. For further information, consult the following site.

http://www.ec.gc.ca/phase2/execsum_e.htm (updated August 1998)

The 1995 CCME Cleaner Vehicles and Fuels initiative is aimed at applying tailpipe emission standards to bring into service vehicles that produce 10% fewer nitrogen oxides and 7% fewer volatile organic compounds.

On 29 January 1998, the federal and provincial governments, with the exception of Quebec, signed this Accord, aimed at improving environmental co-operation and protection in Canada. The Accord will allow these governments to retain their environmental jurisdiction while co-ordinating their work. Where environmental performance is concerned, the governments’ roles will be better defined, and results will be made public. Also signed were sub-accords on environmental assessments; inspection activities; and the development of standards for air, water and soil quality. Standards on tropospheric ozone and particulate matter are also to be approved under this accord.