News Release

Environment Minister Rona Ambrose to Unveil Action on Mercury

OTTAWA, December 13, 2006 - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment, today confirmed that Canada's New Government will require vehicle manufacturers and steel mills to implement pollution prevention plans to ensure mercury switches are removed from automobiles before the vehicles are recycled.

This action is expected to prevent the release of as much as ten tonnes of mercury into the environment, especially into the air, over the next ten years. Mercury is a highly toxic substance that can have serious effects on human health and the environment, particularly because it can travel through the atmosphere and be deposited far from its origins. It can bioaccumulate in living organisms, especially fish, and is responsible for 98% of fish consumption advisories for Canadian water bodies.

"By taking firm action to address this harmful pollutant before it gets into the environment, we are once again showing Canadians that we are serious about cleaning up the environment and protecting human health," Minister Ambrose said. "Recovering switches is an effective and relatively inexpensive way to significantly reduce mercury emissions. By working with industry, other orders of government and non-governmental organizations, we are showing that it is possible to achieve tangible, sustainable results."

Related Documents:

• Action on Mercury [backgrounder, 2006-12-13]
• CEPA Registry [information collection]

For more information, please contact: