Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

Winnipeg—Encouraged by the attention and importance that Canadians attach to the environment, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) committed to provide strong leadership on these issues on behalf of Canadians. The council took action on a number of fronts to improve the quality of air and water that Canadians enjoy.

At the conclusion of their two-day meeting in Winnipeg, ministers underlined that environmental issues are not just local or national in scope, but are also international: environmental degradation outside Canada affects our ecosystems and the health of Canadians through transboundary pollution, climate change and depletion of the ozone layer. Similarly, the activities of Canadians have an impact on the environments of other nations.

“It’s clear that Canadians must play a larger role in international discussions if we are to solve environmental issues at home,” said CCME President Oscar Lathlin, Manitoba Minister of Conservation. “We will strengthen leadership on the environment on local, national and international issues.”

Council members agreed the protection of surface and groundwater quality is a priority for all jurisdictions. Ministers acknowledged that most actions to better protect water quality are taken by individual jurisdictions, and agreed CCME can provide a forum for enhanced coordination in this area. In particular, they agreed to collaborate on priorities for water research; to share best management practices; to accelerate the development of water quality guidelines; and to link existing water quality monitoring networks to ensure Canadians have access to comprehensive information.

As a further step to protect ecosystems and human health, all jurisdictions except Quebec endorsed a number of Canada-wide Standards. Although Quebec did not sign the agreement that led to these standards, it shall remain committed to act within its area of jurisdiction in a manner consistent with these standards.

   
• A standard for petroleum hydrocarbons sets out the levels to which soil must be cleaned when sites contaminated by fuels or lubricants are subject to remediation. Petroleum hydrocarbons in soil can pose a risk to drinking water and reduce the ability of soils to support crops and other plants.
   
• Ministers endorsed a new Canada-wide standard for dioxins and furans, which are toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative. The standard addresses atmospheric releases from B.C. coastal pulp and paper boilers and from waste incineration across Canada, and will lead to a combined emission reduction of at least 80% from these two sources by 2006.
   
• The council set specific targets to reduce the mercury content of fluorescent lights by 80 percent from 1990 levels. This will reduce emissions from manufacturing, land-filling, incineration and lamp breakage. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin.
   
• Ministers also approved in principle a Canada-wide standard for benzene that targets a six-kilotonne reduction in national emissions by 2010. Benzene is carcinogenic and is released through automobile emissions, natural gas dehydrators and wood burning stoves.

As part of an ongoing effort with energy departments to reduce acid rain, New Brunswick and Quebec confirmed their intent to further reduce sulphur dioxide emissions: in New Brunswick by 30% by 2005 and 50% by 2010, and in Quebec by 50% by 2010. The two provinces—along with Ontario and Nova Scotia—will renew bilateral agreements with the federal government to formalize emission reductions. As well, the federal minister committed to intensify efforts to achieve further emission reductions in the United States. All other jurisdictions reaffirmed their previous commitment to minimize growth in acidifying emissions.

To further address global issues, the council approved a strategy to accelerate the phase-out of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and halons and to dispose of surplus stocks. This further guards against destruction of the ozone layer, which limits harmful UV radiation from reaching earth and causing increased rates of skin cancer.

Ministers also indicated their support for Canada signing the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). POPs include dioxins and furans and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). They are of particular concern in Canada’s north where they accumulate in the food chain. Actions to reduce dioxins and furans support international action on POPs.

Internationally, Canada is looked to for leadership on environmental issues. Follow-up to the recent Quebec Summit and the meeting of Environment Ministers of the Americas will be required. Opportunities will increase over the next few years with Canada heading the United Nations Environment Programme, hosting G8 environment ministers and leaders meetings in 2002, and in the context of preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in fall 2002. CCME will contribute to and help shape the Canadian approach to the global sustainable development agenda, and ministers instructed officials to intensify efforts in this regard.

Moreover, ministers reaffirmed the role of CCME as the primary forum for intergovernmental cooperation on the environment. The organization’s agenda is being re-oriented and ministers will engage in broad, strategic discussions of current and emerging national and international environmental issues, and to discuss opportunities for collaborative action. They also agreed to continue building strong relationships with their colleagues in other ministerial councils to address environmental issues that cut across portfolios.

One such cross-cutting issue is climate change. Canada remains committed to the international negotiations and concluding an effective outcome under the Kyoto Protocol. Ministers confirmed their commitment to continued action with energy ministers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Joint Meeting of Ministers of Energy and the Environment (next meeting in September) remains the focal point for discussions on climate change issues among federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Ministers also agreed to focus on new cross-cutting issues such as trade and the environment, and stressed the need for all future trade agreements to take into consideration environmental issues.

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For further information:

Peter André Globensky
Director General, CCME
Phone (204) 948-2120