Implementing the modernized Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act received Royal Assent on June 13, 2023. This Bill modernizes the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA or the “Act”) by recognizing the right to a healthy environment as provided under the Act, strengthening Canada’s chemicals management regime and increasing transparency in the way it is administered.

The Government of Canada is working to implement the modernized Act through several initiatives that include the development of various instruments, such as frameworks, policies, strategies, regulations, and processes. There will be opportunities for public input and participation in these different initiatives.

Planned public consultation opportunities

The following list enumerates the timing of public consultation opportunities for initiatives that will support a strengthened and modernized CEPA. All consultations listed below will be for 60 days unless noted otherwise.

Timing of the consultations is based on the best information available at the time of publication of this web page and is subject to change. Please check back regularly for updates.

Our goal is to avoid having more than one consultation request to Canadians at a time. However, overlapping periods may be necessary in cases where consultation timing provides the best opportunity possible to align with the government’s decision and policy-making cycle.

List of public consultation opportunities:

• Discussion document on the implementation framework for a right to a healthy environment under CEPA (Winter 2024)

• Proposed Watch List approach (Spring/Summer 2024)

• Proposed plan of chemicals management priorities (Summer 2024)

• Draft strategy to replace, reduce or refine vertebrate animal testing (Summer/Fall 2024)

• Draft implementation framework for a right to a healthy environment under CEPA (Summer/Fall 2024)

• Discussion document for toxic substances of highest risk regulations (Winter 2025)

• Discussion document on the restriction and authorization of certain toxic substances regulations (Winter/Spring 2025)

Get involved

Open public consultations are posted below. Please, refer to the list of public consultation opportunities for the schedule of planned consultations.

There are currently no open public consultations. 

Key initiatives

Right to a healthy environment

The Government of Canada is developing an implementation framework on recognizing the right to a healthy environment under CEPA. More details on the right to a healthy environment and how to get involved in the development of the implementation framework are now available.

Strengthening Canada’s chemicals management regime

The Government of Canada is developing a multi-year, integrated plan of chemicals management priorities. The plan will include risk assessment priorities and other priority initiatives that support chemicals management, such as information-gathering, research and monitoring, risk management, risk communication as well as include a strategy to guide the replacement, reduction or refinement of vertebrate animal testing under CEPA.

Useful information

• Strengthening Environmental Protection Act for a Healthier Canada Act
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• News release
• Backgrounder
• Plain language summary of Bill S-5 amendments

Closed consultations