Monitoring changes in the environment is essential for assessing the impact of toxins and the effectiveness of measures meant to minimize environmental damage and potential threats to human life. While resources for large-scale, national monitoring programs have declined during the last 20 years, monitoring remains an important component of the scientific work supporting the implementation of CEPA 1999.

• Acid rain
  The amount of sulphate (the main acidifying pollutant) deposited by rain and snow has gone down from the early 1980s to the early 1990s. This is a direct result of reductions in emissions of sulphur dioxide, primarily from primary metal smelters and coal-burning utilities in Canada and the United States.
   
• Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)
  This program continues to investigate the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the circumpolar Arctic. A report published in 1998-99 presents current information on the distribution, biomagnification and biological effects of organochlorine contaminants in Arctic air, snow, seawater and the marine mammal food chain.
   
• Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN)
  The current network of 10 regionally representative sites has been monitoring air and precipitation chemistry, with special attention to transboundary transport, for almost 20 years. The initial focus was on acid rain, but now smog pollutants (ozone and particulate matter) are also measured at some sites. The data, along with information from other networks, are validated and stored for analysis in the National Atmospheric Chemistry database.
   
• The Chlorinated Substances Action Plan is part of an overall federal strategy to protect human health and the environment from the effects of toxic substances.This science-based action plan includes both regulatory and non-regulatory measures targeting chlorinated substances of concern. It is an important component of Canada's domestic and international efforts to address those substances that threaten our health and the environment.
   
• Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN)
  Environment Canada is the coordinating partner in a national network of more than 140 agencies conducting long-term, multi-disciplinary environmental assessment work. The network compiles material from over 100 sites across the country. The EMAN web site promotes monitoring activities and provides tools for training, observation reporting and data management. It is one of the most popular Environment Canada sites.
   
• Environmental Indicators to Support Decision-making
  Environmental Signals: Canada's National Environmental Indicator Series 2003 is based on a national set of fifty environmental indicators developed over the last 10 years, which provides key status and trend information on a wide range of environmental issues for decision-makers and the interested public. Environmental Signals 2006 is in the final stages of preparation. Indicator improvement is continuing in the fields of water quality, air quality and biodiversity.
  
  Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators first released in late 2005 is an annual report completed jointly with Statistics Canada and Health Canada that focuses on development and reporting to policy-makers on a small subset of key national indicators on air quality, surface freshwater quality and greenhouse gas emissions. A national overview report on the State of Canada's Watersheds will be released in spring 2006. There are many regional and local indicator initiatives as well, for example, the State of the Great Lakes 2005 report and the Pacific and Yukon Region Environmental Indicators. RésEau is a demonstration project that provides seamless access to current, consistent and credible Canadian water information.
   
• National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report (NIR)
  This division of Environment Canada produces Canada's Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals Inventory, which informs Canadians on the emissions of greenhouse gases in Canada. The inventory program monitors and tracks the emissions and removals of the six major greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, PFCs, HFCs, and SF6) at varying levels of sectoral and regional detail. An annual inventory report is published to meet Canada’s reporting commitments under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Domestic facility based GHG emissions reporting, which has been introduced in 2004, will be incorporated into the NIR to enhance its precision and level of detail.
   
• Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN)
  This joint Canada-United States program assesses the atmospheric delivery of persistent toxic substances to the Great Lakes. A second implementation plan was signed in 1998-99, adding the impact of air pollution on urban areas. An updated list of substances to measure will also be prepared.
   
• Mandatory Domestic Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting
  In order to support its international obligations and domestic climate change policy objectives, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring it is able to measure, track and report progress on the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG).
  
  As a significant step toward meeting this commitment, the Government of Canada has instituted the first phase of mandatory reporting of GHG emissions. On March 13, 2004, a Notice was issued in the Canada Gazette, requiring major emitters of GHGs to report facility-level emissions in excess of 100 kilotonnes of CO₂ equivalent for 2004 by June 1, 2005. This first phase lays the foundation for the development through federal-provincial-territorial management - and with input from industry and other stakeholders - of a harmonized and efficient, "single-window" domestic mandatory reporting system for GHG emissions. The information collected on GHG emissions will be published and accessible by Canadians.
  
  Consultations on further development of a harmonized, "single-window", mandatory GHG reporting system will continue through federal-provincial-territorial management, with input from industry and other stakeholders.
   
• National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) Network
  This joint federal/provincial/municipal program, established in 1969, assesses the quality of ambient air in Canadian urban centres. There are over 150 monitoring stations in 55 cities throughout the country. In 1998-99, air monitoring focused on sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and air toxics: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) and acid aerosols. The NAPS annual data for 1995 and 1996 were published in hard copy and on the Internet. The 1997 data have been collected and validated in preparation for publication.
   
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
  The NPRI provides Canadians with access to pollutant release information for facilities located in their communities. Facilities report their measured or estimated releases to the NPRI if they meet the NPRI reporting requirements.