Government of Canada takes measures to limit air pollutants and further improve air quality for Canadians

GATINEAU, QC, June 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada's air quality is among the best in the world and today the Government of Canada announced it has finalized air pollutant regulations that will result in even better air quality for Canadians.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, announced the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations to establish Canada's first ever mandatory national air pollutant emissions standards for major industrial facilities.

The regulations will contribute significantly to reducing emissions that contribute to smog and acid rain including 2,000 kilotonnes of nitrogen oxide emission reductions in the first 19 years. These reductions are equivalent to taking all passenger cars and trucks in Canada off the road for about 12 years.

These regulations will also mean healthier communities for Canadians. It is estimated that the regulations will prevent hundreds of premature deaths, approx. 350,000 days with asthma, and more than 1 million days of activity restricted by poor air quality by 2035.

The regulations apply to thousands of sources of air pollution across Canada. The requirements target boilers and heaters, cement kilns and stationary engines, such as those used for compression to move gas along pipelines or used for back-up generators.

The regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on June 29, 2016.

Quote

"In Canada, we enjoy some of the cleanest air in the world and these regulations will help ensure it stays that way. This is another great example of what can happen when the federal government, provinces, territories, industry, and non-governmental organizations work together."
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• The regulations are expected to reduce NO_x emissions from the upstream oil and gas sector (i.e. production and processing activities) by 40%.
• The regulations are a key element of the Air Quality Management System, or AQMS. Requirements for additional industrial sectors may be added to the regulations and other non-regulatory instruments in the years ahead.
• Today's announcement draws on unprecedented collaboration; through meetings, consultations, and science based decision making with provincial and territorial governments, industry, and other stakeholders over the last several years.

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)