Canada’s primary environmental law is failing to curb harmful emissions in the country, according to an article from The Star. The effectiveness of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is reportedly under review by a committee of Parliament after a decade and a half of investing in the screening, assessment and management of chemicals in Canadian industry and commerce.
According to the article, aggregate emissions for harmful chemicals are rising, including increases for lead (up 125%), arsenic (up 85%) and cadmium (up 900%) between 2006 and 2012. When comparing Ontario to New Jersey, due to a similar manufacturing and industrial-based economy, according to the article, Ontario reportedly released known or suspected carcinogens at a rate 18 times higher than New Jersey. The article cites factors contributing to the law’s failure including the application of unenforceable guidelines, voluntary codes of practice, self-regulating pollution prevention plans and a policy of granting exemptions to companies.
Read the entire article here.
