Regulations Related To Health And Air Quality

Although provincial governments have the primary responsibility for many aspects of air pollution control, federal actions are integrated with those of the provinces. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is the principal Act for the regulation of environmental contaminants. The CEPA allows the federal government to regulate and control substances through national quality objectives, guidelines and/or standards. This section will provide useful information on different tools available for the regulation of environmental substances such as air pollutants.

• Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)
  
• Canada-Wide Standards (CWS)
  
• National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs)
  
• Integrated Process for NAAQOs and CWS Development - Diagram
  
• CEPA - National Advisory Committee (NAC) Working Group on Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines

Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) was passed as federal environmental law, in 1988. The opening statement of the Act declares that 'the protection of the environment is essential to the well-being of Canada'. The federal government can assess air pollutants and control their impact through the setting of National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs) and Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) under CEPA. A revised Canadian Environmental Protection Act, or CEPA 1999, was proclaimed into law on March 31, 2000 after a five-year review process. The new Act incorporates many amendments to the original CEPA.

The focus of the new CEPA is pollution prevention and the protection of the environment and human health in order to contribute to sustainable development.

A portion of the new Act addresses Fuels and Engine Emissions

Canada-Wide Standards (CWS)

In January 1998, Canadian Environment Ministers (with the exception of Quebec) signed the Canada-Wide Accord on Environmental Harmonization and its sub-agreement on Canada-Wide Standards (CWS). The CWS provide an alternative regulatory tool for the management of environmental issues of national interest.

CWSs are intended to be achievable targets that will reduce health and environmental risks within a specific timeframe. Departments have integrated the NAAQOs (National Ambient Air Quality Objectives) and CWS processes (diagram). Air pollutants that have been identified by governments as needing to be managed will be targeted for either CWS or NAAQOs development, not both. CWS are considered Environmental Quality Objectives under CEPA 1999.

Airbornes particles (or particulate matter) and ground-level ozone have been identified as priority substances for the development of CWS under the Harmonization agreement and standards have been announced June 2000 for Ozone and PM_2.5.

For more information on Canada-Wide Standards please consult the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs)

National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs) identify benchmark levels of protection for people and the environment. NAAQOs guide federal/provincial/territorial and regional governments in making risk-management decisions, playing an important role in air quality management (e.g. local source permitting, for air quality index and as benchmarks for developing provincial objectives and standards). NAAQOs are viewed as effects-based long-term air quality goals.

Up until 1998, Canada had a three-tiered system of NAAQOs. Objectives were established under this system for sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, total suspended particulates and ground-level ozone. The maximum acceptable level has been considered the target to achieve by federal and provincial air quality management actions. The three-tiered system of NAAQOs has been replaced to reflect current understanding of the continuum of health and environmental effects caused by air pollution.

The current framework establishes a single level National Ambient Air Quality Objective, which is a national goal for outdoor air quality that protects public health, the environment, or aesthetic properties of the environment. It is primarily effects-based but reflective of technological, economic and societal information. It represents the air quality management goal for the protection of the general public and the environment of Canada.

The NAAQOs are established and reviewed based on recommendations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) - National Advisory Committee (NAC) Working Group on Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines (WGAQOG) which report to the CEPA-National Advisory Committee (NAC). The WGAQOG consists of representatives of federal, provincial and territorial departments of environment and health. NAAQOs are promulgated by the federal government. However, provincial governments have primary responsibility in many areas of air pollution and the provinces may adopt NAAQOs through processes of their choice and implement them as they see fit. NAAQOs may be used differently in each province/territory.

Table of National Ambient Air Quality Objectives & Guidelines in Canada

Diagram - Integrated Process for NAAQOs and CWS Development

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CEPA-National Advisory Committee (NAC) Working Group on Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) - National Advisory Committee (NAC) Working Group on Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines (WGAQOG) consists of representatives of federal, provincial and territorial departments of environment and health. The group was established to review scientific information and prepare recommendations for National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs). Science-based guidance is also provided to support the development of Canada-Wide Standards (CWS). The authority of the working group stems from the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA 1999) Part 1 Section 6 (1)(c) where it is formed to support the CEPA-National Advisory Committee (CEPA-NAC).

The working group has their own terms of reference as well as an established development process. A document entitled "A Protocol for the Development of National Ambient Air Quality Objectives Part 1" outlines the approach used for the development of NAAQOs. This document will be revised as required.

The Working Group meets biannually, in spring and fall, alternating between Ottawa and Toronto and the provinces. Teleconferences are also utilized and conducted on a regular basis.