Turn off accessible linear format and redisplay the web page in it's original layout. Federal Government Actions on Clean Air
The Government of Canada is committed to cleaning the air Canadians breathe.
Air pollution represents a serious threat to human health and the environment. Canadians consistently identify air pollution as the most important environmental issue and a key health concern. Smog contributes each year to more than 5900 deaths from stroke, cardiac and lung disease, costs billions of dollars in healthcare and severely damages Canada’s natural environment.
The Government is firmly committed to taking action on air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions to improve Canadians’ health and environment.
A Comprehensive Approach
At the federal level of government, lead responsibility for air pollution matters resides with Environment Canada. Health Canada also has important responsibilities defined under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and various other departments such as Transport Canada, and Natural Resources Canada, also have important roles to play on air issues.
The federal government recognizes that air pollution affects all Canadians. For this reason the Government works with the provinces and territories, municipalities, industries, and the Canadian public to reduce the impacts of air pollution from a variety of sources.
Many of the activities that cause smog and acid rain, such as oil and gas also create emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). A coordinated approach to emissions of air pollutants and GHGs promotes integrated solutions in sectors that emit both and helps drive the technological changes needed to ensure long-term reductions. It also reduces the potential for solutions that aim to reduce air pollution but lead to increased GHG emissions and vice versa.
The Government of Canada is working toward a national integrated approach to minimize transboundary air pollution, reduce transportation sector emissions, lower emissions from key industrial sectors, advance clean air science and engage the public in finding solutions to clean air issues.
On October 19, 2006, the Government of Canada tabled Canada's Clean Air Act to help protect human health and the environment by taking an integrated approach to reducing emissions of both air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
