Federal Government Actions on Clean Air

Providing cleaner air to Canadians is a priority for the Government of Canada and Canadians.

Air pollution is affecting our health and natural environment, and costing our economy several billions of dollars a year. In particular, the Government of Canada considers smog reduction to be one of its main environmental priorities, along with climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and acid rain.

To deliver on this commitment, the Government of Canada has announced investments of more than $210 million over the last five years.

10-year Clean Air Agenda

Work to improve air quality in Canada has been underway for more than a decade and was intensified in 2000 when the government of Canada launched a comprehensive10-year Clean Air Agenda. This Agenda provides a path forward, including ways to minimize transboundary pollution, reduce transportation sector emissions, lower emissions from major industrial sources, advance clean air science, and engage the public in finding solutions to clean air issues.

Partnerships

Partnerships are an essential part of addressing air issues because air pollution does not respect political boundaries. Clean air is an environmental concern of shared jurisdiction and responsibility, which requires long-term coordination and cooperation locally, nationally, and internationally.

Federal House in Order (FHIO)

The Federal House in Order (FHIO) initiative is the Government of Canada's plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within its own operations in line with Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change (AP2000). Through the FHIO initiative, the 11 departments and agencies which account for 95% of federal emissions have agreed to collectively meet a target of reducing GHG emissions within their operations by 31% from 1990 levels to 2010. To date from 1990-2002 a total reduction in GHG emissions of 24% has been achieved within federal government operations.