Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 annual report for April 1999 to March 2000

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) annual report covers achievements and activities under Canada's first comprehensive environmental protection act for the period April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000. On March 31, 2000, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 came into effect, replacing the original 1988 law with legislation that provides stronger powers and new tools to protect the environment and human health.

The achievements covered by this annual report focus on both the continued implementation of the original CEPA and the preparations for the implementation of the renewed CEPA.

Canadians have even better access to environmental information

For several years, Environment Canada's Green Lane has been providing Internet users with an extraordinary resource. On the Green Lane, you will find, for example, the results of research studies, pollution prevention strategies, and information about the state of the environment. In 1999, an Environmental Registry was developed to offer Web site visitors a user-friendly, up-to-date access to CEPA-related public documents, such as regulations, notices, orders, policies, agreements and the current toxic substances lists. This site was launched on March 31, 2000. It is meant to help members of the public to find more about how the Department is putting CEPA, 1999 into effect, as well as about environmentally wise actions they can adopt. I encourage Canadians to look to our CEPA Web site for quality information about Canada's environment.

More resources mean better results

Through the February 2000 Budget, the Government of Canada has made an important investment in a number of areas that relate to CEPA. It has allocated $40 million of new funds over the next five years to strengthen the enforcement of environmental protection laws. It has also established two funds to assist Canadian communities to improve the environment and existing infrastructure and to encourage less polluting public transportation options. The Green Municipal Enabling Fund and the Green Municipal Investment Fund are both managed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. These new resources build on the resources given in previous budgets for risk assessment, the management of toxic substances under CEPA and research to support these activities.

Finally, the Government of Canada has announced on February 19, 2001, an additional $120 million to support our clean air agenda, specifically to address commitments made under the Canada-United States Ozone Annex. This includes a regulatory plan for cleaner vehicles and fuels, strengthened air quality monitoring and public reporting, as well as work to reduce emissions from the industrial sector. CEPA, 1999 provides us with an effective statutory foundation for this work.

We all want clean air, clean water and a safe environment

Canadians want to be able to trust that the air we breathe and the water we drink is safe for us. We want to feel secure that our environment is healthy and will sustain us. The new CEPA gives the Government of Canada new tools to make this wish a reality. I encourage you to look at the new Act and to consult the Registry to find out what is being done today and also what you can do to be part of the solution.

David Anderson, M.P., P.C.
Minister of the Environment