PM announces Canada's Clean Air Act

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the government will introduce Canada’s Clean Air Act, which will set in motion the country’s first comprehensive and integrated approach to tackle air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. 

“Our new national government has a new approach.  We have a plan that is going to replace rhetoric with results, a plan that is going to move from short-term headlines to long-term progress, a plan that is going to get things done on the environment,” said Prime Minister Harper. 

If passed, 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.

The Prime Minister said his government will consult extensively with industry, the provinces and territories to ensure these new regulations get measurable results on realistic timelines. 

Canada’s Clean Air Act will be introduced in the House of Commons next week.