July 29, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Environment Canada
Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced today that the Harper Government has aligned new vehicle and fuel standards with the United States to cut air pollution from on-road vehicles as part of its ongoing commitment to improve air quality for Canadians.
Canada's Tier 3 regulations will introduce more stringent air pollutant emission standards for new passenger cars, light-duty trucks and certain heavy-duty vehicles (such as delivery vans) starting with the 2017 model year. They will also lower limits on the allowable sulphur content of gasoline beginning in 2017, aligning Canadian standards with the United States.
Common Canada–United States standards deliver significant health and environmental benefits, while maintaining our economic competitiveness and protecting good, high-paying jobs in integrated sectors, including automotive manufacturing and refining.
The transportation sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions and is a major source of smog-forming air pollutant emissions. Regulating air emissions from this sector is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan to address climate change and provide cleaner air for Canadians.
Air pollutant emissions from vehicles and fuels continue to decrease as a result of regulatory actions. Specifically, total emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from passenger vehicles and light trucks operated on Canadian roads have decreased by almost 40 percent from 2006 to 2013.
Shane Buckingham
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
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