On February 9, the Canadian government introduced bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, which would modernize the 1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). During the last session of Parliament, a bill to amend CEPA was introduced but it “dropped off” the agenda in August 2021, as is protocol when a federal election commences.
The new bill contains many of the same proposed amendments as the previous version, notably a focus on strengthening chemical management processes. The new bill incorporates, for the first time in Canadian federal law, the “right to a healthy environment” as well as other amendments that will address regional issues and risks associated with more vulnerable populations.
CPA is part of the CEPA Review Industry Group (CRIG), which includes a large number of Canadian manufacturers and associations, that will track and engage on issues of importance to the Canadian industry as the bill is debated. See News Release and CEPA Amendment Backgrounder. More Info: Kevin Warkentin
