Environment committee  There are many federal states, all of which have unique circumstances, but many federal states do have legally binding ambient air quality standards, such as the United States. Even if you look at the non-binding Canadian ambient air quality standards—and “standards” is a bit of

Environment committee  There has been that tension, as there is on every issue in Canada between the provinces and the federal government.

Environment committee  In some provinces, there are legally binding air quality standards. The problem is that those standards are not consistently legally binding across the country.

Environment committee  Let me take those questions in reverse order. The more we learn about the impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment, the more important it actually becomes over time to take a hazard-based approach. A hazard-based approach is more consistent with the precautionar

Environment committee  Yes, I agree.

Environment committee  Of course, this right has been considered by courts in more than 60 countries over the past four decades. Basically, they will look at the environmental standards that a government has set. For example, if we're talking about an air pollution case, they will look at the Canadia

Environment committee  As I said, I think that if you adopt the recommendations that were made by this committee back in 2017, you'd be well ahead. Dr. Vandelac was talking about pesticides, and there's separate legislation, the Pest Control Products Act. When we talk about a right to a healthy enviro

Environment committee  Actually, I've done quite a bit of comparative research looking at the environmental records of various countries. Unfortunately, Canada is not among the top performers. In some categories we are, but in many we are not. I could give you many examples. In terms of the percentage

Environment committee  I think it would be useful to have definitions for phrases like “environmental justice” and “intergenerational equity”. Certainly that's something that would be useful in terms of being included in the definition section of CEPA.

Environment committee  Thanks very much. I was just going to say that in sections 17 through 22 of CEPA there is an enforcement action provision. It has never been used, so clearly it's not working. In 2016, the standing committee took a close look at those sections and, in recommendations 30 through

Environment committee  Thank you. It's quite striking that Canada is one of the few industrialized nations in the world that do not have legally binding and enforceable ambient air quality standards. The U.S. has had them for more than 50 years, and they've contributed greatly to improvements in air q

Environment committee  I'm not sure I understand the—

Environment committee  In a federal law such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, that will be the federal government.

Environment committee  Well, it's interesting that you say “billions of dollars”. I'm not sure where you pulled that number out of the air. This is a right that's recognized by 156 nations around the world, and I can tell you that there's substantial research—

Environment committee  How about Norway, sir?