Archived: Code of Practice for management of air emissions from pulp and paper mills: chapter 1

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

At a meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) on October 11, 2012, federal, provincial and territorial environment ministers approved further action to protect the health of Canadians and the environment with measures to improve air quality in Canada, through a comprehensive new Canada-wide system: the Air Quality Management System (AQMS). Ministers agreed to a flexible approach to implementation that would help jurisdictions ensure good air quality outcomes, while maintaining competitiveness throughout Canada. The AQMS has several components, including Base Level Industrial Emission Requirements (BLIERs) that set a base level of performance for major industries in Canada.

The BLIERs are intended to serve as quantifiable requirements in the form of performance standards that can be incorporated into an instrument such as a regulation. They should result in compliance of all major industrial sources in Canada, regardless of the air quality where the factories and industrial facilities are located, with an acceptable basic environmental performance level.

The expert group that developed the BLIERs for pulp and paper was composed of representatives from federal and provincial governments, one non-governmental organization and representatives from the pulp and paper industry. At the federal level, the group included representatives from the departments of the Environment, Natural Resources and Health.

A consensus was reached in December 2011 on the Pulp and Paper BLIERs for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and total particulate matter (TPM), which were accepted by the CCME.

1.2 Description of the Pulp and Paper Sector

In 2012, the Canadian pulp and paper industry consisted of 90 mills found in all provinces except Prince Edward Island and the territories.

Table 1: Number of pulp and paper mills by province (2012)
Province Number of mills in 2012
Alberta
7
British Columbia
18
Manitoba
1
New Brunswick
6
Newfoundland and Labrador
1
Nova Scotia
5
Ontario
17
Quebec
34
Saskatchewan
1
Total
90

1.3 Code of Practice Objectives, Scope and Development

The objective of this Code of Practice is to recommend and promote best practices to facilitate and encourage ongoing improvements in the environmental performance of pulp and paper mills in Canada with respect to SO2 and TPM air emissions from combustion sources.

The recommendations set forth in the Code of Practice are not intended to limit the use of other technologies and practices that could provide equivalent or superior environmental protection. The recommendations may need to be interpreted based on the individual conditions and concerns of each mill. In addition, implementing the recommendations does not exempt the mills from their obligation to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

1.4 Adoption of the Code of Practice

The Code of Practice may be adopted voluntarily by pulp and paper sector companies, mills and associations. It may also be adopted in whole or in part by provincial regulatory agencies.

The Code of Practice may serve as a reference point in the implementation of best practices for the ongoing improvement of environmental performance in pulp and paper mills in Canada.

Page details

Date modified: