OTTAWA, Ont. -- November 28, 2011 -- Environment Minister Peter Kent and Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney today announced an investment of $600.8 million over five years to renew the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, (CARA), which has served as the framework for the Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality since 2006.
"Renewed funding for the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda emphasizes our Government's commitment to protecting the health and environment of Canadians," said Minister Kent. "It will help us identify emerging air quality issues, measure and monitor the status of existing ones, and determine solutions that will allow Canadians to - literally - breathe easier."
"Vulnerable Canadians, including young children, elderly Canadians, and people who suffer from chronic heart and respiratory illnesses will benefit from our action to improve the quality of the air we breathe through our Clean Air Regulatory Agenda," added Minister Blaney.
This funding will be used by the Government of Canada to:
- Align greenhouse gas regulations with the United States where appropriate;
- Finalizeand implement a national air quality management system;
- Strengthen commitments to reduce transboundary air pollution under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement;
- Improve indoor air quality; and,
- Nation-wide implementation of the Air Quality Health Index to help Canadians make informed decisions to protect their health.
"The quality of the air we breathe is directly linked to our health and well-being," added Canada's Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq. "Our Government will work to improve air quality and reduce exposure of harmful air pollutants to Canadians."
This renewed funding will allow standards to be set that will define what clean air means, regulate good emissions performance by industry and bring on a comprehensive national approach to air emissions reduction. Taking concrete action to reduce emissions from major sectors of the economy is a key part of the Government's work to improve the environment and deliver real results for all Canadians.
Related documents:
Clean Air Regulatory Agenda [Backgrounder 2011-11-28]
Speech [2011-11-28]
For more information, please contact:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
Environment Canada's Twitter page: http://twitter.com/environmentca
Environment Canada's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/environmentcan
