Canada’s Environment Ministers took a major step forward last week with the announcement of a new approach for managing air quality across the nation.

Meeting in Banff, Alberta, federal, provincial and territorial environment ministers agreed to a flexible approach for implementing the new Air Quality Management System (AQMS) allowing each jurisdiction to ensure good air quality outcomes while maintaining competitiveness in all regions of Canada.

There are five major parts to the new system:

1.Air quality standards to “set the bar” for air quality management across the country,

2.A framework for air zone management that supports actions to improve air quality and keep clean areas clean,

3.Industrial emission requirements that set a consistent level of performance for all major industries across the country,

4.A mechanism to coordinate action when air pollution crosses a border - either inter-provincial or international and

5.A cross-country intergovernmental forum to collaborate on action to address emissions from the transportation sector

Because of the range of air quality challenges across the country, all of these parts are important to the success of the system. The air quality standards drive air quality improvement and the other components are, taken together, the means by which the improvements will be achieved.

Collaboration is the key

The system’s success also relies on collaboration among governments and engagement of stakeholders and communities. Governments will collaborate on the development of the outdoor air quality and industrial emission requirements. And, while provinces and territories will manage activities at the level of air zones, the federal government will collaborate on transportation sources and lead actions addressing international cross-border air pollution.

Accountability of the system will be supported by monitoring and reporting of outdoor air quality conditions and emissions from major industrial sources.

“There is nothing more fundamental to Canadians than clean air,” said Diana McQueen, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. “The AQMS builds on measures that jurisdictions already have in place, and helps to align the actions of federal, provincial and territorial governments to deal with air quality issues.”

Currently, management of industrial emissions varies from province to province, creating a patchwork and an uneven playing field for Canadian enterprises. The system will establish consistent industrial emission requirements to level the playing field. Major industrial facilities will have a good base level of air emission performance regardless of the air quality where they are located.

Outstanding industrial emission requirements for sectors such as petroleum refining, coal-fired electricity generation, reciprocating engines and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be addressed through a continuing collaborative process

Jurisdictions, with the exception of Quebec, have agreed to begin implementing the AQMS, subject to further jurisdictional approvals. Quebec supports the general objectives of the AQMS, but will not implement the system since it includes federal industrial emission requirements that duplicate Quebec’s Clean Air Regulation. Quebec will collaborate in developing other elements of the system, notably air zones and airsheds.

Monitoring and reporting of outdoor air quality conditions and emissions from major industrial sources in Canada will be strengthened to encourage stakeholders and communities to improve air quality.

Specifically cited by Ministers were the three years of work with major retailers, the restaurant and food sector, brand owners and the packaging industry, which has led to an industry-driven approach to reduce packaging in Canada destined for landfills, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to increase recycled content in packaging will significantly reduce Canada’s packaging footprint.

Four specific commitments by industry include:
•Continuing to eliminate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from rigid plastic packaging to improve recyclability and to reduce waste to landfill;
•Developing a database on the current use of packaging in Canada by 2014 as a benchmark for industry to set future targets, timelines and reporting requirements;
•Developing a voluntary packaging design guide based on Éco Entreprises Québec’s voluntary code and other international standards; and
•Improving communications with the public on packaging reduction.

A Canada-wide approach for the management of Wastewater Biosolids was another major step forward to encourage better management and beneficial use of biosolids resulting from municipal wastewater treatment. Benefits include minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing nutrient and energy recovery.

Ministers also received a voluntary code of practice on residential wood burning appliances for consideration by jurisdictions.

Recognizing the significant contributions to air pollution from cars, trucks, boats, construction equipment, a cross-Canada working group on mobile sources was created to share information and to pursue opportunities for collaboration on initiatives to reduce emissions from transportation related sources.

Over the next year, CCME members will continue to work together to improve the environment by addressing water, air and waste issues. The next meeting of CCME will be hosted by Nunavut.