News Release

2007-63
June 4, 2007
For immediate release

Canada's New Government marks Canadian Environment Week by announcing further progress on the Chemicals Management Plan

MILTON, Ontario - To mark the occasion of Canadian Environment Week, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Heath, today marked further progress on the Chemicals Management Plan, announced by Canada's New Government in December 2006. 
 
"Last year, Prime Minister Harper announced a new Chemicals Management Plan to increase the protection of Canadians from dangerous chemicals, and to make our country a world leader in the testing and regulation of chemicals that are used in thousands of industrial and consumer products," said Minister Clement.  "Today, I am proud to report progress on our plan.  To date, 32 chemical substances have been published in the Canada Gazette, Part I." 
 
Manufacturers, importers and users of these substances will have four months to respond with information on how they are managing and using these substances.  The information will guide the Government's actions to protect human health and the environment.
 
The announcement was made at MAACO Systems Canada, Inc., an auto refinishing company working to switch to environmentally-friendly methods and materials.
 
In April, Canada's New Government unveiled Turning the Corner: An Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution.  The plan signalled the Government's intent to set overall national fixed emissions caps for air pollutants that cause smog and acid rain, with a goal of cutting industrial air pollution up to 50 per cent as early as 2012.     
 
For more information on the Government's environmental plan, please visit: www.ecoaction.gc.ca.

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Media Enquiries:
Renée Bergeron
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988

Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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