On July 19, the Federal Government announced an adjusted timeline for the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS), stating, “Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) recognizes the need for additional time to work with interested parties to conduct robust technical and economic analysis to ensure that the CFS achieves its goal while maintaining Canadian competitiveness.” CIAC welcomes […]
Please join Shannon Watt, CIAC Director of Environment and Health Policy, on May 1 for what promises to be a lively discussion on the growing business of clean tech in Canada. From building insulation and lighter plastics for vehicles, to solar panels and wind turbines, the products that will help move society to a more […]
On November 16, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC), including several of its members, took part in a government hosted session on the future of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
Representatives from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada provided an updated review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), and solicited feedback from stakeholders on the future of the CMP post-2020.
As part of Alberta Chemistry Day, CIAC hosted a panel on how the proposed federal Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) for industry could work within Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan. Dave Sawyer of EnviroEconomics and Bob Savage, Assistant Deputy Minister for Alberta Environment and Parks, shared concerns about the uncertainty for industry of the policy interactions of a federal CFS with provincial climate change programs.
Nova Chemicals’ Linda Santry joined regulators from Environment & Climate Change Canada and Health Canada on a panel that gave a high-level overview of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan. The panel was moderated by Scott Thurlow, CIAC’s Legal Counsel and Director of Chemicals Management. Mr. Thurlow was also part of a panel which focused on identifying a path forward to developing a risk-based approach to chemicals for the Americas, and enhancing regulatory cooperation initiatives in the region.
In late 2016, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced the government’s intention to introduce a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS). At the end of February, the government distributed a focused discussion paper to support their work on establishing the scope and key attributes of the regulation. As it stands right now, CIAC is engaged with other industrial sectors on a position seeking an outright exemption for industrial uses from the CFS proposal.
In a guest column in the Winter 2017 issue of Canadian Chemical News (ACCN), Bob Masterson, president and CEO of CIAC, argues that the Association would discourage legislative changes to CEPA that would enshrine a ‘mandatory alternatives assessment.’ CIAC believes an available alternative should not influence a risk assessment. Where a CEPA toxic designation is justified, CIAC supports the proposition that an alternative be considered as an element of risk management. Similar programs around the world, like the US EPA’s Safer Choice Program, require an identified risk before the initiative can be triggered. If nothing else, there are some substances on the toxic substances list that cannot be substituted.
For more than 20 years, as part of the commitment to Responsible Care®, CIAC members have been driven to improve and publicly report on key indicators including emissions data, workplace and transportation safety, community engagement, and waste reduction. This report marks the twenty-third consecutive year that the association has transparently published its emissions.
