Government of Canada Fulfills Commitment to Table Implementation Plan on Clean Air

OTTAWA, April 26, 2001 - Environment Minister David Anderson today released the government's progress report and interim plan on federal measures to bring cleaner air to Canadians.

The Interim Plan on Particulate Matter and Ozone outlines the Government's activities on reducing emissions, the science behind policy decisions to protect the health of Canadians from toxic air pollutants, the clean air activities within government and the programs to engage Canadians to take action at home and in their communities.

"The Interim Plan demonstrates action on the part of the Government to reduce targeted air pollutants that cause smog and contribute to ill health and deaths," said Minister Anderson. "We will continue to deliver on measures to reduce harmful air emissions and to build on our activities with more science, outreach to Canadians and a greener government."

The Government of Canada's Interim Plan follows through on the commitment made by federal, provincial and territorial governments that signed the Canada-wide Standards for Particulate Matter (PM) and Ozone in June 2000, to prepare and make public their implementation plans that meet the commitments for actions to reduce emissions of fine particulate matter (PM _2.5) and Ozone by 2010.

"As this federal plan is the first to set out a series of commitments, initiatives and actions for PM and Ozone, it has been designated as an interim plan," added the Minister. "Regular updates will reflect progress, new initiatives and the ongoing consultations and coordination with provincial and territorial partners on commitments in their jurisdictions."

Federal commitments include negotiating and signing the Ozone Annex to reduce transboundary ozone emissions, putting in place a 10 year plan of actions for cleaner vehicles, engines and fuels and improving the national monitoring and reporting system on air pollutants. These commitments are being met.

The Interim Plan from the Government of Canada will assist Provincial and Territorial governments in identifying appropriate actions to reach the Canada Wide Standards.

Related documents:

• The Government of Canada's Interim Plan on Particulate Matter and Ozone [report, 2001-04-26] (476KB, .pdf format)
• Clean Air Web Site [information collection]