Harper Government Moves to Strengthen Regulations on Air Pollution to Provide Cleaner Air to Canadians

TORONTO, June 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced that, in order to provide cleaner air to Canadians, the Government of Canada intends to align its transportation-related air pollution emission standards with the more stringent United States proposed Tier 3 standards.

"This new initiative is proof of our government's commitment to cleaner air, today and for generations to come," said Minister Kent. "Once fully phased-in, these standards are expected to reduce smog-forming air pollutants from new vehicles by approximately 80% compared to the current Tier 2 standards."

Canada intends to amend its related regulations to align with the United States Tier 3 standards, which include stricter limits on air pollutant emissions from new cars and light trucks and reductions to the amount of sulphur in gasoline. The details of the planned regulations will be developed in consultation with stakeholders.

"Toyota responds to the world's need for affordable fuel efficient and low emission vehicles through constant innovation in conventional and advanced technologies," said Seiji Ichii, President and CEO, Toyota Canada Inc. "We are proud to say that the launch of hybrid vehicle production at our plant in Cambridge, Ontario, next year will make Toyota the first manufacturer to build highly efficient gasoline, hybrid and electric vehicles in Canada."

"The Global Automakers of Canada fully support the Government of Canada's commitment to proceed with Tier 3 emission standards that are aligned with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Tier 3 program," said David Adams, President of the Global Automakers of Canada "Through the reduction of sulphur in gasoline from 30 parts per million (ppm) to 10 ppm with a low sulphur cap, the government is reinforcing that a system approach to vehicles and fuels is necessary to maximize emissions reductions for the benefit of Canadians, and will enable automakers to introduce new advanced  technologies required to achieve the stringent greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency standards in place now and proposed through to 2025."

"The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association continues to support the government's ongoing efforts to harmonize both vehicle-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emission standards with those in the United States, consistent with the objectives of the Canada-Unites States Regulatory Cooperation Council's action plan," stated Mark Nantais, President. "Today's announcement to implement new more stringent Tier 3 emissions standards builds on our achievements, which is important for Canada's integrated automotive industry, and it will ensure that a greater choice of vehicles are available at more affordable prices for consumers. The combination of harmonized Tier 3 emission requirements for vehicles and lower sulphur content in gasoline will ensure Canadians, like their United States counterparts, receive the same air quality benefits and greater assurance of properly operating advanced emission control technologies on 2017 and later model year vehicles."

"We are pleased to see a continuing commitment by the federal government to align Canada's fuel sulphur content regulations with United States requirements," commented Peter Boag, President of the Canadian Fuels Association. 

Under the Regulatory Cooperation Council announced by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama, Canada and the United States have agreed to tightly align our regulatory work on light duty vehicle emissions. A notice announcing the Government's intention will be published in the June 8 issue of the Canada Gazette, Part I.

"It is especially fitting to announce this new clean air measure that will benefit all Canadians during Environment week," concluded Minister Kent.

This is the latest federal action to provide clean air in Canada. In May, the Government announced the new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter and ground-level ozone.

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Web site of Environment Canada at http://www.ec.gc.ca/.

 

SOURCE: Environment Canada

Mary Ann Dewey-Plante Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

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(Également offert en français)