Minister's Response

Minister of the Environment
Ottawa. Canada K1A OH3

Apr 09 2001

Mr. David Spink
Environmental Sciences Division
Alberta Environment
4 Floor, Oxbridge Place
9820 106 Street
Edmonton AB T5K 2J6

Dear Mr. Spink:

This is in response to your Notice of Objection, dated August 8, 2000, respecting the proposed Order to add respirable particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM 10) to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999) in which you request that I establish a Board of Review.

I have fully and carefully considered your Notice of Objection. I am of the view that it does not provide any information with respect to the nature and extent of the danger posed by particulate matter which would thus warrant the establishment of a Board of Review in this case. Therefore, I will not establish a Board of Review.

You raise a number of points in your submission on CEPA terminology and processes, as well as approaches to risk management for particulate matter which are beyond the criteria for considering a Board of Review. I am confident that the risk management processes that we have embarked upon for the PM 2.5 Canada-wide Standard will continue to evolve in a logical and effective manner.

I appreciate your comments and look forward to co-operative efforts between our two governments to address the particulate matter issue.

Yours sincerely
David Anderson, P.C., M.P.