1. Introduction

This document provides a detailed summary and Environment Canada's response to comments received from stakeholders relating to the development of the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations.

The February, 2001 Federal Agenda on Cleaner Vehicles, Engines and Fuels¹ outlines the government's intent to develop a series of measures over the next decade to reduce emissions from vehicles, engines and fuels. One element of the agenda is the development of regulations under Part 7, Division 5 on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to establish emission standards for small spark-ignition engines aligned with those of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In July 2002, Environment Canada issued a Discussion Draft of the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations. This discussion draft was accompanied by a note describing a few specific regulatory issues on which comments were sought. The comments of interested parties were taken into account in the proposed Regulations which were published in the Canada Gazette Part I on March 29, 2003. Environment Canada has considered comments received during the 60-day public consultation in developing final regulations.

This document provides a detailed summary of the comments received from stakeholders and provides Environment Canada's responses to these comments. The major issues raised by commenters in regards to the proposed Regulations are also addressed in the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) that accompanies the publication of the final Regulations in the Canada Gazette Part II.

¹ Canada Gazette Part I. Volume 135, Number 7, February 17, 2001. pp.452