Scoping the issues: preparation for the parliamentary review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Strengthening legislation for a sustainable environment, a healthy population and a competitive economy

December 2004

Download the report in PDF format (860 KB).

Section 343 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999) stipulates that the Act must be reviewed by a Parliamentary Committee every five years after its coming into force (on March 31, 2000). Environment Canada and Health Canada have prepared this paper to solicit public comment in helping to prepare advice for consideration during the Parliamentary review.

Purposes of this scoping document:

• To provide background information to assist Canadians in developing and sharing their views on the issues that should be addressed during the Parliamentary Review of CEPA 1999
• To solicit feedback from Canadians on issues in CEPA 1999 that Environment Canada and Health Canada have identified for consideration in preparing for the Parliamentary Review.

This document represents the initial perspectives of officials in Environment Canada and Health Canada. It is not intended to reflect the position of the government.

This document reflects observations of Environment Canada and Health Canada based on just over four years of experience in implementing CEPA 1999. This experience includes the departments' assessment of the issues and views that were raised by various stakeholders and government officials during these last four years. This document also reflects the departments' perspective on how environmental management and the related protection of human health in Canada need to evolve.

This document is intended to inform the public about what Environment Canada and Health Canada see as issues to consider in the next review period and to seek feedback on those issues. The document uses various questions to assist in soliciting your views. You will note that there are two types of questions; some of the questions in the document are open-ended and related to broad policy issues, while other questions are more focused, since they are related to specific technical issues. Along with the questions raised throughout the document, readers are asked to consider the following questions:

• Q. Do you agree with the issues identified by the departments?
• Q. Do you have additional issues?
• Q. How would you suggest CEPA 1999 and/or its implementation evolve to address these issues?

Information on the web-based consultations, including the procedure for providing electronic feedback is posted on the CEPA Environmental Registry website. Feedback should be sent by end of business on February 11, 2005.