Government of Canada invests over $490 million to protect Canadians and the environment from harmful chemicals

OTTAWA, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - Chemicals are an integral part of everyday life, essential to our economy, our communities and our homes. While chemical substances provide benefits, they may also have harmful effects on human health and the environment if not properly managed. The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) is Canada's comprehensive and integrated strategy for identifying and taking action on potentially harmful substances.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, and the Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott, today announced that $491.8 million will be provided over the next five years to continue delivering on Canada's world‑leading CMP. The funds will be used to complete the next phase of this essential program, which helps reduce the risks posed by chemicals to Canadians and the environment.

The Government of Canada will assess the remaining 1550 substances of the 4300 chemicals identified as priorities under the CMP. Our government‑wide approach, which includes research, assessing substances, testing products, evaluating older pesticides, and developing new environmental rules for pharmaceutical products, will support the global goal of sound chemicals management by 2020.

Now an internationally recognized program for chemicals management, the CMP helps protect Canadian families and the environment from the risks of harmful chemicals.

Quotes

"In this phase of the Chemicals Management Plan, our scientists will continue their important work. This funding is not only an investment in the health of our economy but also, more importantly, in the health and environment of future generations of Canadians."
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Canadians expect to be able to trust that the chemicals in the products they use are safe and won't harm them or the environment. This funding will enable us to continue our sound science‑based chemicals management approach, which has put Canada at the forefront in this area."
– The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health

Quick facts

• Over the last 10 years, the CMP has assessed approximately 2750 chemicals in Canada, covering a wide range of substances including stain repellents, flame retardants and bisphenol A.
• Today's funding builds on the $800 million that has been invested in the CMP to date ($300 million in 2006‑2010 and $506 million in 2011‑2016).

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Contacts: 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); Andrew MacKendrick, Office of Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983; Public Inquiries, Health Canada, 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709