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A Canadian Perspective on the Precautionary Approach/Principle

Towards the beginning of 2000, the Government began work on a federal initiative to discuss the application of the precautionary approach/principle in science-based regulatory programs. This initiative is in line with the Government's objective of strengthening risk management practices across the federal public service.

The precautionary approach / precautionary principle is distinctive within science-based risk management. It recognizes that the absence of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason to postpone decisions when faced with the threat of serious or irreversible harm. However, guidance and assurance are required as to the conditions governing the decisions that will be made. Guidance and assurance are particularly needed when a decision must be made regarding a risk of serious or irreversible harm about which there is significant scientific uncertainty. The precautionary approach / precautionary principle primarily affects the development of options and the decision phases, and is ultimately guided by judgement, based on values and priorities. Indeed, Canada has a long-standing history of implementing the precautionary approach in science-based programs of health and safety, environmental protection and natural resources conservation.

The documents presented here were developed by the Federal government through the efforts of a multi departmental working group in response to the increasing profile and importance of the precautionary approach/principle in risk management decision making. It is an important step towards establishing a federal framework for coherent and consistent application of the precautionary approach in Canada.

This discussion paper outlines proposed "guiding principles" to support overall consistency in how the precautionary approach is used in science-based risk decision-making in government. These principles would constitute the key elements of a federal framework for the precautionary approach. Such a framework would have four purposes:

• To improve the predictability, credibility and consistency of Canadian federal precautionary approaches to ensure they are adequate, reasonable and cost-effective.
• To support sound federal government decision-making while minimizing crises and unnecessary controversies, and capitalizing on opportunities.
• To increase the confidence of public and private stakeholders, in Canada and abroad, that federal precautionary decision-making is rigorous, sound and credible.
• Increase Canada's ability to positively influence international standards and applications of the precautionary approach.

The government is distributing this material to stakeholders through various fora, with the objective of providing information about the precautionary approach and soliciting reaction to the concepts, principles and guidance reflected therein.

Your views and comments are important. You are invited to submit comments by the end of March, 2002.

If you are interested in having more information, please refer to either the full discussion document, A Canadian Perspective on the Precautionary Approach/Principle, September 2001, or a briefer exposé on the proposed guiding principles, A Canadian Perspective on the Precautionary Approach/Principle - Proposed Guiding Principles, September 2001. A Canadian Perspective on the Precautionary Approach/ the Precautionary Principle: What is it; Why is it Important to Canada; When Does Canada Apply; How Does Canada Apply It?, September 2001, a short backgrounder for those who wish to have a general overview of the issues is also available.

Your views and comments are important. You are invited to submit comments either electronically or in writing to the undersigned.

Comments to: A Canadian Perspective

Precautionary Approach/Principle
Economic Issues Branch
Policy and Communications
Les Terrasses de la Chaudiere
10 Wellington Street, 24^th Floor
Hull, Quebec
K1A 0H3

• A Canadian Perspective on the Precautionary Approach/Principle, September 2001 HTML PDF
  
  
• A Canadian Perspective on the Precautionary Approach/Principle - Proposed Guiding Principles, September, 2001 HTML PDF(382kb)
  
  
• A Canadian Perspective on the Precautionary Approach/ the Precautionary Principle: What is it; Why is it Important to Canada; When Does Canada Apply; How Does Canada Apply It?, September, 2001 HTML PDF(74kb)