Canadians expect their government to protect their health and the environment from harmful chemicals and other toxic pollutants. Today, the Government of Canada took an important step forward to do just that.
The Government introduced in the Senate the bill Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, which would modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) for the first time in twenty years and make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act.
CEPA is Canada's cornerstone federal environmental protection law that protects Canadians and the environment. Over the years, CEPA has been used to prevent plastic microbeads from entering our water, ban asbestos, and prohibit the use of BPA (bisphenol A) in baby bottles. By reintroducing this bill, the Government will strengthen and update CEPA, to keep pace with the evolving science around the risks associated with harmful chemicals and pollutants.
First, the bill introduces a right to a healthy environment for the first time in a federal statute in Canada. The framework to implement this right would be developed with the participation of Canadians. This right would lead to strong protections for Canadians no matter who they are or where they live, emphasizing the protection of vulnerable Canadians who may be more predominantly exposed to harmful chemicals. Everyone deserves a healthy place to live.
The bill would also encourage businesses to transition to the production and use of chemicals that are safer for the environment and human health. The bill would require the development of a new plan of chemicals management priorities and would propose a new regime to manage toxic substances of highest risk. With the proposed amendments, CEPA would require that risk assessments consider real life exposure to the cumulative effects of substances on Canadians or the environment. Proposed amendments would also lead to the creation of a new publicly available Watch List so Canadians and businesses could see which substances they may wish to avoid.
This modernization of CEPA will be an important step for the Government of Canada towards the continued protection of people's health and the environment.
