The Canada-wide Environmental Standards Sub-Agreement is a framework for federal, provincial, and territorial Environment Ministers to work together to addresskey 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 thestandards, 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
- Background Information
- Incinerators and Base Metal Smelting, endorsed June 5-6, 2000
- Mercury Containing Lamp, endorsed on May 1, 2001
- Dental Amalgams, endorsed on September 23, 2001
Dioxins and Furans
- Background Information
- Waste Incinerators and Coastal Pulp and Paper Boilers Burning Salt Laden Wood, endorsed May 1, 2001
- Iron Sintering, accepted in principle Fall 2000
- Electric Arc Furnace Steel Manufacturing
- Conical Municipal Waste Combustion
Benzene
- Background Information
- Phase 1, endorsed June 2000
- Phase 2, endorsed May 2001
- National Report not yet available
Considerable additional information can be found on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) website. Follow the “Canada-wide Standards” link found under “Current Priorities”.
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