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This historical page is being kept for research or reference
purposes and will not be updated.

This historical page is being kept for research or reference
purposes and will not be updated.

Appendix 2 - Workshop presentation deck used by government representatives

Environment Canada and Health Canada Federal Identiy Program Image
"1970s - Segmented patchwork of federal and provincial environmental laws 1980s - Consultations on federal approach 1988 - Original CEPA enacted 1993 - Review of 1988 CEPA begins 2000 CEPA 1999 enacted 2004 Prep for review
Long description for CEPA milestones figure
  • In the 1970’s there were a number of federal environmental laws which were largely uncoordinated

By the mid- ’80s

  • the desire to consolidate and integrate this legislation led to the passage of the original CEPA in 1988

By the mid- ’90s

  • Our understanding of the scope and complexity of environmental issues and their impacts on human health and a competitive economy were growing at the same time that public concern and scrutiny were also increasing
  • People around the world became more aware of environmental issues and the global nature of environmental issues.
  • We saw the rapid emergence of new concepts in the assessment and management of environmental problems to reduce impacts on the physical and human environment, particularly pollution prevention
  • In response, and following an intensive review period, CEPA 1999 was passed by the federal parliament, and became law on the 1st of April, 2000
  1. Provide information to assist you in developing and sharing your views on CEPA 1999
  2. Getting your views on CEPA 1999 issues that:
    1. Environment Canada and Health Canada have identified (Scoping Paper)
    2. You wish to raise with us

Context

CEPA 1999 Management Cycle
Long description for CEPA 1999 management cycle figure

Environmental management process

The environmental management process consists of four interconnected activities. They are risk assessment, risk management, compliance promotion and enforcement, research and monitoring.

  1. Risk assessment work identifies risks to the environment and human health.
  2. These risks are reduced through Risk management activities.
  3. To ensure that the risk management measures are adhered to, follow-up to the risk management phase consists of compliance promotion and enforcement activities.
  4. Further research and monitoring activities can indicate whether or not the risk management measure has been effective in reducing the risk.

All of these activities are supported through public participation, reporting and intergovernmental cooperation.

Risk management focus

Figure 3 - Federal environmental legislation

FIgure 3 (see long description below)
Long description for figure 3

Figure 3 illustrates there are a number of laws administered by several departments and agencies that are focused on one or more of three major objectives: managing products; reducing and preventing pollution from emissions and effluents; and habitat protection, land use and natural resource management. Among other things, they address protecting the environment and human health, developing scientific information, preventing or reducing pollution and monitoring the environment and human health. There are also several federal laws that do not directly focus on environmental and health objectives, but also have significant influence on the environment and human health. In addition, the provinces, territories and municipalities play important roles in managing local impacts, licensing facilities, waste management, managing land use and natural resources and protecting occupational health and safety. In short, the protection of the environment and human health is the responsibility of all Canadians.

The goal, at least for EC and HC, is that CEPA 1999 will contribute toward our efforts to promote pollution prevention as a means of moving towards sustainable development. Delivering this goal will require a collaborative approach which will:

  • encourage and enable decision makers at all levels to integrate environmental and human health objectives and considerations into their short- and long-term decision making;
  • take a comprehensive approach to environmental issues, recognizing the interconnectedness among issues from ecological, health and competitiveness perspectives;
  • be aligned among jurisdictions, and implemented efficiently;
  • be mindful of basic economic and business principles;
  • focus on clearly articulated long term environmental and human health targets set through a transparent process, with appropriate incentives and penalties to drive measurable progress towards those targets; and
  • recognize and reward leaders

Major laws within the Federal Environmental Management Regime are focused on one or more of three major objectives: managing products; reducing and preventing pollution from emissions and effluents; and, habitat protection, land use and natural resource management. Following are some specific examples: The Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 addresses both product management and the reduction and prevention of pollution from emissions and effluents objectives as does the Pest Control Products Act. Managing Products objective is also addressed by the Food and Drugs Act; the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992; the Feeds Act; the Seeds Act; the Fertilizer Act; the Health of Animals Act and the Hazardous Products Act. The objective of reducing and preventing pollution from emissions and effluents is addressed through the Canada Shipping Act and the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act. This objective as well as that of habitat protection, land use and natural resource management are addressed through the Fisheries Act; the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; the Canada Water Act; the Indian Act; the Northwest Territories Waters Act; the Territorial Lands Act; the MacKenzie Valley Resource Management Act; and the Nunavut Waters & Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act. The objective of habitat protection, land use and natural resource management is also addressed through the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA); the Species at Risk Act; the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; the International River Improvements Act; theInternational Boundary Waters Treaty Act; and, theOceans Act.

Goal: Create a Renewed CEPA that contributes to a Sustainable Environment, Healthy Canadians and a Competitive Economy

What CEPA will provide
Themes for today
  1. Knowledge for protecting human health and the environment
  2. Tools for taking action
  3. Fair and efficient compliance promotion and enforcement
  4. Information for Canadians

Should CEPA be implemented differently or changed

1. Knowledge for protecting human health & environment

Objective: identify, understand and develop scientific information to assess and manage risks

2. Tools for taking action

Objective: enable timely and effective risk management using most appropriate risk management measures

3. Fair and efficient compliance promotion & enforcement

Objective: at minimum, enable compliance and fair, efficient enforcement with appropriate penalties

4. Information for Canadians

Objective: generate knowledge, provide access to information on human health and environmental quality and effective public participation

From today's CEPA 1999 review information team

Paul Glover Health Canada, Director General, Safe Environments Programme

Cynthia Wright Environment Canada, Director General Strategic Priorities Directorate

Warren Wilson Moderator, Intersol

Please send any questions to:

LindaJ.Chandler@ec.gc.ca

Or visit our website

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