Environment Minister Announces Tougher Emission Standards for On-Road Vehicles and Engines

Toronto, April 4, 2002 - Proposed measures to reduce smog forming air pollutants from new on-road vehicles were announced in Toronto today by Environment Minister David Anderson.

The proposed On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations, published in the March 30, 2002 Canada Gazette, Part I, call for cleaner vehicles to be available in Canada starting September 1, 2003. The measures would result in progressively greater annual emission reductions of pollutants that form smog.

"Vehicles are a major source of the air pollutants that contribute to the formation of smog," said Minister Anderson. "This measure to bring cleaner vehicles to our streets and roads will help clear the air and reduce the impacts of pollution on our natural environment and our health."

It is estimated that in 2020, the proposed regulations will contribute to the following emissions reductions from new on-road vehicles in Canada: nitrogen oxides (-74%), particulate matter (-64%), carbon monoxide (-23%) and volatile organic compounds (-14%). This measure will also result in decreased emissions of several pollutants, including benzene and acrolein which have been declared "toxic" under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999.

The proposed On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations will complement previously announced cleaner fuels initiatives including the proposed low sulphur diesel regulations and the existing low sulphur gasoline regulations, as well as the Benzene in Gasoline Regulations, which are also part of the government's clean air agenda.

"The warmer weather brought about by climate change will contribute to increased air pollution and the number of "bad air" days in Canada," added Minister Anderson. "Industry and government have come a long way in reducing smog-causing pollutants from vehicles. Now is the time for industry to go that extra step and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the fuel efficiency of their vehicles."

The Government of Canada's on-going campaign to reduce smog and climate change-causing pollutants includes previously announced initiatives. These are a $16 million Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Initiative to improve new vehicle fuel efficiency through negotiation of a voluntary agreement with the automotive industry and the United States, an investment of $23 million in the Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance to investigate different fueling options for fuel-cell vehicles, and a further $20 million for the National Research Council's fuel-cell research and development at its Innovation Center in Vancouver.

Related documents:

• Proposed On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations [backgrounder, 2002-04-04]
• Federal environment minister tackles smog problem - Video clip also available (Runs: 7:14) [Courtesy of CBC News]