Appendix B: CEPA expenditures

To keep pace with Canada's dedication to environmental protection on both the national and international fronts, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)'s monetary commitment has more than tripled over the past years. The dollar value of CEPA-related initiatives has increased from approximately $21 million in fiscal year 1988-89 to $65 million in 1993-94.

This increase in funding has supported an increase in CEPA's scope beyond the research, monitoring and enforcement responsibilities it has always encompassed. Since 1991-92, efforts under CEPA have expanded to include regular reporting on the state of Canada's environment, as well as more-stringent monitoring of pollutants (under the National Pollutant Release Inventory), ozone-depleting substances and hazardous wastes.

As well, efforts under CEPA have accelerated in several areas of particular concern. Funding for assessments of substances on the Priority Substances List and Strategic Options Reports for those substances deemed toxic as defined by CEPA has increased steadily since CEPA has been in place. Funding for Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements for proposed regulations has also increased steadily as the federal government concentrates more and more on evaluating and quantifying the benefits of environmental protection.

Fiscal year 1992-93 was the first year a report has been made on expenditures under CEPA. The following table provides a breakdown of CEPA expenditures for the past six years.

X= Not accounted against CEPA prior to 1991
NP= New Program funds not previously available
DSL= Domestic Substances List cost $5M included in new substances
N/A= Not Applicable