Canadian Governments
Action on Clean Air
Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments all have an important role to play in addressing air quality concerns.
In Canada air issues management is a shared responsibility of the federal, provincial and territorial governments. With the exception of Montreal and the Greater Vancouver Regional District who have delegated authorities from their respective provincial governments, municipalities don’t have direct authority over air issues. However because of their influence on the day-to-day activities of so many Canadians, many of them are taking actions that also help address air quality concerns in Canada.
To learn more about what each level of government is doing to take action, visit:
Intergovernmental Cooperation - CCME - Harmonization
To help clarify roles and responsibilities and to ensure a standard approach to environmental protection across Canada, the federal, provincial (except Québec), and territorial governments agreed to work together in partnership under the framework of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) 1998 Harmonization Accord and the Canada-wide Standards (CWSs) Sub-Agreement.
A major aim of the Harmonization Accord is to achieve greater effectiveness, accountability, predictability, and clarity of environmental management for issues of Canada-wide interest. Federal, provincial and territorial roles and responsibilities are assigned, case by case, to the level of government that is best situated to act in the most effective manner. Within the agreements, each level of government still retains its legal authorities and can exercise these when necessary.
Through the Canada-wide Standards Sub-Agreement, the CCME is using a cooperative approach to develop and implement consistent environmental measures in all jurisdictions, including policies, standards, objectives, legislation, and regulations. The ambient air quality standards (for benzene, mercury, particulate matter, ground level ozone, and dioxins and furans) developed by the CCME are based on the willingness of federal, provinces and territories governments to cooperate. Both levels of governments have agreed to prepare implementation plans and to report periodically. Although Quebec did not sign the agreement that led to these standards, it has stated that it remains committed to act within its area of jurisdiction in a manner consistent with these standards.
