| |
| Factsheets |
Adobe Acrobat PDF format (475 KB)
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999)
CEPA 1999: The Management Process
CEPA 1999, How it works
October 2005
The health of Canadians and our economic and social progress are fundamentally
linked to the quality of our environment. Recognizing this, the Government
of Canada's environmental policies, under the banner of Project Green,
are linked with economic and market realities so that Canadians have a
cleaner, healthier environment and continued economic growth. The Canadian
Environmental Protection Act, 1999 is one of the Government of Canada's
primary tools for achieving sustainable development and pollution prevention
- the goals set out through Project Green.
This info-sheet is part of a series of three that provides an overview
of CEPA 1999. CEPA 1999: The Management Process presents the key
processes employed in the Act. The others in the series provide a brief
introduction to the Act — CEPA 1999 at a Glance, and an introduction
to the main issues addressed by the Act CEPA 1999: Focus on Issues.
The CEPA 1999 management cycle — a dynamic approach to environmental
management and protection
The complexities of protecting the environment and the health of Canadians
call for a sound management process. The CEPA 1999 management process
or cycle, as it is known, is made up of five integrated components —
including a hub of information exchange that links the other four components.
- Environmental protection on solid ground — research
and monitoring under CEPA 1999
CEPA 1999 calls for specific research to be conducted in support of
a range of issues. For example, CEPA 1999 requires research to determine
how substances are dispersed and how pollution can be prevented and
controlled. Research into the impacts of substances on both the environment
and human health are also mandated by the Act, including investigation
of the role of substances in illness and health problems and, specifically,
substances that can affect the endocrine system of humans and animals,
including fish. The results of such work, as well as information gathered
through monitoring changes in the environment and human health, are
vital to building sound knowledge for decision making under CEPA 1999,
and for informing the public, industry and other interested groups about
environmental and human health issues.
- Assessing the risk — a scientific basis for activities
under CEPA 1999
Sound science is also at the heart of assessing the impacts of substances
on the environment, as well as the risks to human health of exposure
to harmful substances. Risk assessment also helps to identify the sources
of pollution that pose the greatest risk. In essence, risk assessment
provides information on which many activities under CEPA 1999 are based.
One specific aspect of risk assessment carried out under the Act is
the assessment of substances — those already available for use
in Canada, and those being considered for import or manufacturing —
to determine whether they present risks to the environment or human
health. CEPA 1999 defines a process for ensuring that the public and
interested groups have adequate time and opportunity to comment on or
object to the results of risk assessments before decisions are made
and action is taken.
- Managing the risk responsibly and effectively
Once a risk has been determined, decisions are made and action is planned
to manage it. Under CEPA 1999, a variety of tools may be used to take
the best action — action that protects the environment and human
health, that is cost-effective, and that takes into account social,
economic and technological factors. CEPA 1999 provides for certain instruments
to be developed, ranging from regulations to the requirement to prepare
and implement pollution prevention plans to guidelines and codes of
practice. Other approaches, outside of CEPA 1999, such as voluntary
agreements or action under other federal, provincial or territorial
legislation may also be used to manage the risks.
Progressive Enforcement
CEPA 1999 includes a number of progressive enforcement tools, such
as environmental protection compliance orders, environmental protection
alternative measures (i.e., alternatives to court prosecution through
a negotiated agreement), as well as ticketing for offences.
- Following up — promoting compliance and enforcing
decisions
Follow-up to ensure that risk management decisions are carried
out is as important as assessing the risk and putting the risk management
tools in place. In fact, involving the public and other interested groups
in the creation of effective approaches to reduce risks helps to promote
awareness and to achieve high levels of compliance with the management
decisions, once they are made. When non-compliance is a problem, a range
of activities is used — from promoting awareness of the measures
required to reduce or prevent risks, to enforcement actions. CEPA 1999
enforcement officers investigate suspected violations of the Act. Violations
are managed using enforcement tools such as warnings and direction for
action, as well as more serious tools, including prosecution and hefty
fines upon conviction. As with all aspects of CEPA 1999, information
about compliance is maintained and used to help evaluate and improve
CEPA 1999 processes and action.
The CEPA 1999 management cycle is effective because it builds cooperation
with other governments, and promotes public participation and reporting
on progress into every component of the cycle.
For further information:
Environment Canada's Inquiry Centre
70 Crémazie Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H3
Telephone:
(819) 997-2800
Toll free:
1 800 668-6767
Fax:
(819) 994-1412
E-mail:
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
|
