The Canada-wide Environmental Standards Sub-Agreement is a framework for federal, provincial, and territorial Environment Ministers to work together to address
key environmental protection and health risk reduction issues that require common environmental standards across the country.

The current Canada-wide standards (CWSs) that have been developed or are in the process of being developed are for: fine particulate matter and ozone; mercury; benzene; dioxins and furans; and, petroleum hydrocarbons. These standards are being developed with the participation  of a variety of groups with an interest in the
standards, including industry, municipal, environmental, health and Aboriginal groups. 

The proposed CWSs presented to Ministers generally contain: 

• a numeric limit (e.g., ambient, discharge, or product standard); 
• a timetable for attainment; and a framework for monitoring progress and reporting to the public. 

Specific information on each CWS includes:

      Particulate Matter and Ozone

• Background Information
• Endorsed June 5 and 6, 2001
• Status of Jurisdictional Implementation Planning Activities for PM and Ozone

      Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil

• Background Information
• Endorsed on May 1, 2001
• Equivalency achieved through endorsement of RBCA approach under Altlantic PIRI Initiative

      Mercury

      Dioxins and Furans

• Background Information
• Waste Incinerators and Coastal Pulp and Paper Boilers Burning Salt Laden Wood, endorsed May 1, 2001
  • Implementation Plan for Dioxins and Furans - Municipal Waste Incinerators and Coastal Pulp and Paper Boilers Burning Salt Laden Wood
• Iron Sintering, accepted in principle Fall 2000
• Electric Arc Furnace Steel Manufacturing
• Conical Municipal Waste Combustion

      Benzene

• Background Information
• Phase 1, endorsed June 2000
  • Jurisdictional Report - September 2001
• Phase 2, endorsed May 2001
  • Canada - Wide Standard (CWS) Implementation Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador Benzene - Phase 2
• National Report not yet available

Considerable additional information can be found on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) website at www.ccme.ca. Follow the “Canada-wide Standards” link found under “Current Priorities”.