Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada speaks to reporters at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Sunday, December 18, 2022. The federal Liberals will not change Ottawa's environmental protection law to make it mandatory for every toxic substance to have a pollution prevention plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
OTTAWA – The federal Liberals will not change Ottawa’s environmental protection law to make it mandatory for every toxic substance to have a pollution prevention plan.
John Moffet, an assistant deputy minister at Environment Canada, says a pollution prevention plan is only one option to lower the risk posed by chemicals deemed to be toxic to people or the environment.
But Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says the amendment to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act that she wanted would allow for alternative strategies while still ensuring every toxic chemical is managed.
The act that governs how toxic chemicals such as mercury, benzene, lead and asbestos must be managed is currently being updated in Parliament.
Liberals and Conservatives on the House of Commons environment committee voted down May’s proposed amendment this morning.
The Canadian Environmental Law Association says only one-sixth of the chemicals designated as toxic under the act have a pollution prevention plan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2023.
