Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Comité permanent de l'environnement et du développement durable

For immediate release

Ottawa, October 24, 2016 -

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA).

Any interested group or individual is welcome to submit a written brief for the Committee’s consideration. Based on testimony received to date, the Committee has identified the following non-exhaustive list of themes that stakeholders may wish to address in their written briefs; however, the Committee welcomes written briefs on any matter related to CEPA.

• The Chemicals Management Plan – Assessment (hazard- vs. risk-based approach, consideration of alternatives, setting persistence and bioaccumulation triggers, etc.);
• Risk management, including pollution prevention planning and virtual elimination;
• Integrating environmental justice into assessments and management of substances, and public participation in CEPA;
• The respective roles of CEPA and other federal Acts and programs for managing substances, pesticides, food, drugs, etc.;
• Monitoring;
• The National Pollutant Release Inventory;
• Air Quality and Drinking Water Standards;
• Animate Products of Biotechnology;
• Government Operations on Federal and Aboriginal Land; and
• Enforcement.

Stakeholders wishing to submit a written brief should refer to the Guide for Submitting Briefs to House of Commons Committees, noting in particular that briefs should not normally exceed ten pages in length. Briefs may be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee at envi@parl.gc.ca by December 1, 2016. Briefs submitted after the deadline will be considered only if time permits.

The Committee wishes to thank all groups and individuals who take the time to share their knowledge and thoughts to help develop recommendations to the government in relation to this important piece of environmental legislation.