Foreword

This annual report provides an overview of the key results achieved under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) for the period April 1, 2003, to March 31, 2004.

The publication of this report responds to the requirement under CEPA 1999 to provide an annual report to Parliament on the administration and enforcement of the Act, as well as the research conducted by Environment Canada and Health Canada. The chapters are organized according to the 11 major Parts of CEPA 1999. Each chapter contains introductory remarks that describe the applicable provisions of CEPA 1999, followed by a description of the key results achieved under that Part.

CEPA 1999 also requires reporting on specific sections of the Act as follows:

• Activities of the CEPA 1999 National Advisory Committee and of any committees established under paragraph 7(1)(a) - Section 1.1 of this report highlights the activities of the National Advisory Committee during 2003-04. There were no other committees established under paragraph 7(1)(a) of CEPA 1999 in 2003-04.
• Administration of the Act under administrative agreements - Section 1.2 of this report describes the activities under the administrative agreements during 2003-04.
• Administration of agreements respecting equivalent provisions - Section 1.3 of this report describes the activities under the Canada-Alberta Equivalency Agreement during 2003-04.
• Research conducted under the authority of the act - Environment Canada and Health Canada scientists published numerous reports, papers, book chapters, articles and manuscripts on subjects related to CEPA 1999. This impressive body of work appeared in books and scientific journals that are available in libraries and from the publishers. Although it is not possible to describe all of these activities, Section 3.2 of this report provides examples of the types of research initiatives under way and their key contributions in 2003-04.
• Administration of the international air pollution provisions - Although there were no activities under these provisions (Division 6 of Part 7) of CEPA 1999 during 2003-04, Section 7.6 of this report highlights results that flow from commitments on several international agreements respecting air pollution.
• Administration of the international water pollution provisions - There were no activities under these provisions (Division 7 of Part 7) of CEPA 1999 during 2003-04.