2003 Consultations
 2001-2002 Consultations
 1998-2000 Consultations

Previous Years Consultations

2003 Consultations

NPRI Work Group on Substances (2003)

The NPRI worked with the 2003 NPRI Multi-stakeholder Work Group on Substances to propose modifications to the Program for the 2004 reporting year. Terms of Reference for the work Group, the Work Group's final report and the Environment Canada Response to Recommendations of the Multi-stakeholder Working Group on substances are available below.

• The NPRI Multistakeholder Work Group on Substances (2003) Terms of Reference
• First Report of the National Pollutant Release Inventory Multi-stakeholder Work Group On Substances (2003): draft for stakeholder review and comment
• National Pollutant Release Inventory
  Environment Canada Response to Recommendations of
  the Final Report of the NPRI
  Multi-stakeholder Work Group on Substances
  (2003)

Subgroups

To facilitate progress on the most significant of the proposed changes to the NPRI that it was mandated to address, the WG decided to establish three subgroups (SGs): 1) Particulate Matter Speciation (continuation of a SG established by the previous WG); 2) Mining Exemption Review; and 3) Harmonization of the Ministry of Ontario's Regulation 127 and the NPRI. The SGs are tasked with identifying key issues and developing preliminary recommendations for consideration by the main WG. These SGs are in the process of being formed and / or have only begun their work, and as such, there are no preliminary options presented in this report, however the SGs are expected to continue their work and provide options to the next WG in 2004.

Proposing Changes to the NPRI Program for 2003 reporting year

The objectives of the NPRI Multi-stakeholder Work Group (WG 2003) was to develop recommendations to Environment Canada on the following issues:

• Ongoing harmonization of NPRI with the Ministry of the Environment of Ontario (MOE) Regulation 127 and requirements for substances unique to Regulation 127.
  
  Response Statement to the Report «A Comprehensive Review of the Differences between the NPRI and O.Reg.127/01» by MOE-EC Joint Working Group
  
  Summary of report «A Comprehensive Review of the Differences between the NPRI and O.Reg.127/01»

• Addition of thallium at an ATH. (PDF, 169 KB) (HTML, 27 KB)
• Addition of PCBs at an ATH. (PDF, 254 KB) (HTML, 26 KB)
• Addition of NDMA at an ATH. (PDF, 160 KB) (HTML, 18 KB)
• Listing modifications for dioxins, furans and hexachlorobenzene. (PDF, 282 KB) (HTML, 28 KB)
• Review of the mining exemption. (PDF, 164 KB) (HTML, 29 KB)

The NPRI Multistakeholder Work Group has addressed the above issues and has provided Environment Canada with specific recommendations on October 31, 2003.

2001-2002 Consultations

Second Report of the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Multi-stakeholder Work Group on Substances (2001-2002)

The NPRI has been working with the 2001-2002 NPRI Multi-stakeholder Work Group on Substances (WG) to propose modifications to the Program for the 2003 reporting year.

• Second Work Group Report
• NPRI Work Group on Substances (2001-2002)

Final First Work Group Report of the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) and Environment Canada 's Response

• 1 st Final Work Group Report (PDF, 156 KB)  (HTML, 401 KB)
• EC Response to the 1 st Work Group report
  (PDF, 189 KB)  (HTML, 423 KB)

The NPRI worked with the Work Group on Substances (2001-2003) to propose modifications to the NPRI. The Final 1 st Work Group Report ( PDF, 156 KB)  (HTML, 401 KB) discusses the addition of criteria air contaminants (nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds) to the NPRI list of substances for 2002. Many elements surround the addition of these substances to the NPRI and are discussed in the draft Work Group report. Other proposed modifications include:

• the addition of hexavalent chromium at a lower threshold for 2002;
• lowering of thresholds for cadmium (and its compounds), lead (and its compounds) and tetraethyl lead, and arsenic (and its compounds) for 2002;
• effluent-based trigger for reporting from municipal water treatment facilities for 2002;
• delisting of phosphoric acid for 2001;
• activities list for reporting of dioxins and furans; and,
• the description of wood preservation.

The EC response addresses the recommendations of the First Work Group Report.

Ad Hoc Work Group on Substances (1998-2000)

In July 1998, Environment Canada established a Multi-stakeholder Work Group to develop recommendations in three areas concerning the list of substances on the NPRI:

• Objective 1: Additions and deletions for the 1999 reporting year
• Objective 2: Alternate reporting thresholds
• Objective 3: Future process for additions and deletions.

The Work Group represented the range of sectors and interests that have a stake in the NPRI. It included active representation from environmental organizations, industry associations, provincial governments, and Goverment of Canada departments.

The Work Group produced reports summarizing recommendations to Environment Canada. The Work Group Reports and Environment Canada's responses are listed below:

Fifth Meeting, September 26, 2000 in Hull, Quebec

• Final Fifth Report of NPRI WG
• Environment Canada's Response

Fourth Meeting, October 13 and 14, 1999 in Hull, Quebec

• Fourth Report of NPRI WG (Sept3rev)
• Environment Canada's Response

Third Meeting, June 9 and 10, 1999 in Hull, Quebec

• Third Report of NPRI WG (Sept3rev)
• Appendices C, D, E, F

Second Meeting, February 16 and 17, 1999 in Toronto, Ontario

• Second Report
• Environment Canada's Response

First Meeting, August 27 and 28, 1998 in Hull, Quebec

• First Report

To obtain these documents, please contact the NPRI: npri@ec.gc.ca