The Act: Table of Contents: Part 3: Objectives, Guidelines and Codes of Practice

Part 3: Information Gathering, Objectives, Guidelines and Codes of Practice - Objectives, Guidelines and Codes of Practice

Formulation by the Minister

54. (1) For the purpose of carrying out the Minister's mandate related to preserving the quality of the environment, the Minister shall issue

(a) environmental quality objectives specifying goals or purposes for pollution prevention or environmental control, including goals or purposes stated in quantitative or qualitative terms;

(b) environmental quality guidelines specifying recommendations in quantitative or qualitative terms to support and maintain particular uses of the environment;

(c) release guidelines recommending limits, including limits expressed as concentrations or quantities, for the release of substances into the environment from works, undertakings or activities; and

(d) codes of practice respecting pollution prevention or specifying procedures, practices or release limits for environmental control relating to works, undertakings and activities during any phase of their development and operation, including the location, design, construction, start-up, closure, dismantling and clean-up phases and any subsequent monitoring activities.

Scope of objectives, etc.

(2) The objectives, guidelines and codes of practice referred to in subsection (1) shall relate to

(a) the environment;

(b) pollution prevention or the recycling, reusing, treating, storing or disposing of substances or reducing the release of substances into the environment;

(c) works, undertakings or activities that affect or may affect the environment; or

(d) the conservation of natural resources and sustainable development.

Consultation

(3) In carrying out the duties under subsection (1), the Minister shall offer to consult with the government of a province and the members of the Committee who are representatives of aboriginal governments and may consult with a government department or agency, aboriginal people, representatives of industry and labour and municipal authorities or with persons interested in the quality of the environment.

Minister may act

(3.1) At any time after the 60th day following the day on which the Minister offers to consult in accordance with subsection (3), the Minister may act under subsection (1) if the offer to consult is not accepted by the government of a province or members of the Committee who are representatives of aboriginal governments.

Publication

(4) The Minister shall publish any objectives, guidelines or codes of practice issued under this section, or give notice of them, in the Canada Gazette and in any other manner that the Minister considers appropriate.

Formulation by the Minister of Health

55. (1) For the purpose of carrying out the mandate of the Minister of Health related to preserving and improving public health under this Act, the Minister of Health shall issue objectives, guidelines and codes of practice with respect to the elements of the environment that may affect the life and health of the people of Canada.

Consultation

(2) In carrying out the duties under subsection (1), the Minister of Health may consult with a government, a government department or agency, aboriginal people, representatives of industry and labour and municipal authorities or with persons interested in the preservation and improvement of public health.

Publication

(3) The Minister of Health shall publish any objectives, guidelines or codes of practice issued under this section, or give notice of them, in the Canada Gazette and in any other manner that the Minister of Health considers appropriate.