The Ministry of Environment is reviewing theAgricultural Waste Control Regulation (AWCR) with the intention of shifting to a code of practice to replace the current regulation.  A code of practice (or “minister’s regulation”) is a legally binding and enforceable set of rules that must be followed by the agricultural industry for environmental and human health protection.

The AWCR describes environmentally sound practices for using, storing and managing wastes, such as manure, and by-products, such as composted materials or other materials used in agriculture, such as wood waste.  The ministry has developed a Policy Intentions Paper for Consultation (intentions paper) for the proposed changes to the AWCR.  The purpose of this intentions paper is to describe the ministry’s proposed revisions for discussion and consultation, and to seek responses and comments from stake­holders and the public on the ministry’s intentions.

The intentions paper and response form for providing comments to the ministry, as well as further information and links to related legislation, are posted here and on the ministry’s consultation website.  The content of the proposed regulatory changes is outlined in the policy intentions paper below.

• Intentions Paper (PDF/719 KB)
• Response Form (PDF/135KB)
• Response Form (online submisssion)

Public Consultation Process

The intentions paper for the consultation will be posted until March 31, 2012, the deadline for submitting comments.  A summary of the comments will be posted on this website after the consultation period is closed.

The Ministry of Environment is initiating a public review of the draft Saskatchewan Environmental Code. This is the next key step in implementing a new results-based approach to environmental regulation.

“The ministry has embarked on an ambitious journey to reinvent how it regulates, oversees and manages impacts on the environment and natural resources,” Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said. “The code is a critical element of the results based approach, which includes increased transparency and stronger accountability tools, more attention on high-risk areas, improved client service and ultimately, enhanced environmental management.”

The results-based model focuses on required environmental outcomes and encourages innovation by making the proponent accountable to find the best way to achieve or exceed the required outcomes. The Saskatchewan Environmental Code, the first of its kind in Canada, will provide guidance on the design of environmental systems and facilities. It has chapters describing the acceptable results and standards for particular activities associated with development.

Three pieces of legislation – The Environmental Management and Protection Act, The Forest Resources Management Act, and The Environmental Assessment Act – were updated to support the results-based approach. The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act, which is new legislation, also requires the development of code chapters. All four pieces of legislation were passed, but not proclaimed, in the spring 2010 legislative session. Once required sections of the code are completed, the new legislative framework will be brought into effect.

“I wish to recognize the commitment and participation of stakeholders and Aboriginal groups that have been so critical to our success in developing the draft code to this point,” Saskatchewan Environmental Code Development Committee (CDC) Chair Wayne Clifton said. “The public review stage now provides an opportunity for the broader public and all interested parties to contribute to the development of the code.”

The development of the code has been a collaborative effort involving various companies, associations, provincial and federal government agencies, environmental non-governmental organizations, municipalities, First Nations and Métis communities, academia and knowledgeable private individuals. In all, more than 200 experts and industry leaders were involved, directly or indirectly, in the development of this code.

“I think this approach to regulation can work, provided that there is a commitment by all of us – business people, governments, regulators and citizens – to recognize environmental protection as the top priority,”

Saskatchewan Environmental Society board member Ann Coxworth said. “This means acknowledging that a healthy economy can exist only within the context of a healthy environment. The public review period is an important opportunity for people to let us know whether that commitment is there.”

An online introductory document, code executive summary and the 19 code chapters have been posted to the ministry website at http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca for public review and comment.

Stakeholder and Aboriginal meetings are being held January 30 in Regina; February 2 in Prince Albert; and February 3 in Saskatoon. The intent is to have the first edition of the code approved and the legislation proclaimed in 2012.

Code development is continuing. Work on additional chapters addressing other subject areas including linear developments, works in or near water and hazardous substances storage have already begun.

For more information, contact:
Michele McEachern
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0412
Email: michele.mceachern@gov.sk.ca

Premier appoints task force to ensure landowners heard

Edmonton… Premier Alison Redford has created a task force that will be asking Albertans for their concerns regarding property rights.

“We have heard concerns from landowners that their property rights need to be better respected,” said Redford. “We need to move towards a more common-sense approach when it comes to property rights.”

The task force will be chaired by Diana McQueen, Minister of Environment and Water, with Evan Berger, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, as the vice-chair.

Other members include Verlyn Olson, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Jeff Johnson, Minister of Infrastructure; Cal Dallas, Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations; Frank Oberle, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development; Raymond Prins, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka; and Arno Doerksen, MLA for Strathmore Brooks.

“We want to listen to Albertans and have a discussion about what property rights mean to them and what needs to be improved,” said McQueen.

In December, meetings will take place with stakeholders. In January, open houses will occur in several communities. To complement face-to-face efforts, a website will allow for written input from Albertans. Further details on how Albertans can participate will be released in the coming weeks.

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Canada Working With the United States to Address Emissions from Passenger Cars and Light Trucks for Model Years 2017 and Beyond

OTTAWA, Ont. – November 16, 2011 — Today, the Honorable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister, released a consultation document on the development of proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2017 and beyond. These proposed regulations are an extension of the close work Canada has already completed in alignment with the U.S. government to establish common North American standards for regulating GHGs from new passenger cars and light trucks for the 2011-16 model years.

“Given that our economies are deeply integrated, alignment with the United States is a key part of Canada’s overall approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Minister Kent. “This effort will also lead to greater fuel economy for consumers, innovation in the auto sector and increased economic competitiveness for Canada.”

This consultation document will seek early input from stakeholders on the main elements of the proposed regulations. These comments will be taken into account during the development of the proposed regulations, which are expected to be available for a formal public comment period in 2012. The consultation document has been posted on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act Registry for a 30-day public comment period.

On Oct. 1, 2010 Canada released the Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations, which are aligned with the United States and establish progressively tighter emissions standards for cars and light trucks over the 2011-16 model years.

Canada also issued a notice of intent to continue working closely with the United States towards the development of more stringent standards for new cars and light trucks for model years 2017 and beyond.

Strong action in the transportation sector is a key component in the Government’s plan to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. The transportation sector accounts for about 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, and so reducing emissions in this sector will do a lot to help us achieve our total emissions reduction goal.

In addition to passenger car and light truck regulations, the Government is also developing regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty trucks and has mandated a requirement for an average of five percent renewable content in gasoline, and two percent content for diesel and heating oil.

More information on the consultation document is available at http://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=3C125336-1.

For more information, please contact:

Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

Consultation Document for Discussion of the Main Elements of the Proposed Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to Further Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New On-Road Light-Duty Vehicles

Beginning date: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Closing date: Friday, December 16, 2011
Contact: GHGRegDev_Vehicles@ec.gc.ca

Building Capacity in Developing Countries in the Area of Natural Resources Management

On October 27, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the creation of the Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development.  This announcement delivers on the Government of Canada’s commitment to support initiatives in developing countries that promote sustainable economic growth, create jobs and reduce long-term poverty.

This initiative will benefit partner countries by enhancing their capacity to manage their respective natural resources, including minerals, oil and gas.

The Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development

The newly created Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development will undertake policy research to identify best practices in extractive sector management for individual countries, and arrange technical assistance for governments and communities in developing countries through a partnership between the Federal government,Canada’s private sector and Canadian civil-society organizations.  The Institute will draw on the lessons learned inCanadaon extractive sector management.

The Institute will be housed in a Canadian university that combines a strong public-policy capacity with knowledge of the extractive sector and of mining in particular. Selection of the university will be carried out through a competitive process and the successful applicant will be expected to make an in-kind contribution to the creation and operation of the Institute.

Canada’s Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy

The Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development complements the Government of Canada’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy for the Canadian International Extractive Sector, announced in March 2009, and Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy, announced in 2010.

The objective of the Strategy is to improve the competitive advantage of Canadian international extractive sector companies by enhancing their ability to manage social and environmental risks. The CSR Strategy is based on four pillars:

1. Support capacity building initiatives in developing countries to manage the development of minerals and oil and gas, and to benefit from these resources to reduce poverty
2. Promote the widely-recognized international CSR performance guidelines
3. Set up the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor
4. Support the development of a CSR Centre of Excellence

Today’s announcement complements four recently announced pilot projects worth approximately $26.7 million designed to reduce poverty in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.

For more information on Canada’s Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy for the Canadian International Extractive Sector, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s website (http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/ds/csr-strategy-rse-stategie.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

Do you use B.C.’s resource roads for work, recreation, or because you live in or visit rural communities off the public road system? If so, help us serve you better by contributing to the Natural Resource Road Act Project to improve resource road laws and regulation for the benefit of all users.

Comments are invited on a discussion paper that will help build the foundation for the Natural Resource Road Act. The principles and proposed policy framework presented in this discussion paper are the starting point for a single, streamlined law that applies to all resource roads in B.C.

You are invited to voice your concerns and suggest solutions that will work for everyone. Comments will be accepted until December 15, 2011.

Notice with respect to reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) for 2011

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Notice with respect to reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) for 2011

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to subsection 46(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act), that, with respect to emissions of GHGs identified in Schedule 1 to this notice and for the purpose of conducting research, creating an inventory of data, formulating objectives and codes of practice, issuing guidelines or assessing or reporting on the state of the environment, any person who operates a facility described in Schedule 3 to this notice during the 2011 calendar year, and who possesses or who may reasonably be expected to have access to information described in Schedule 4 to this notice, shall provide the Minister of the Environment with this information no later than June 1, 2012.

Information on GHG emissions requested under this notice shall be submitted to

Minister of the Environment
Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division
Environment Canada
Fontaine Building, 8th Floor
200 Sacré-Cœur Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H3

Enquiries concerning this notice shall be addressed to

Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division
Environment Canada
Fontaine Building, 8th Floor
200 Sacré-Cœur Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H3
Telephone: 819-994-0684
Fax: 819-953-2347
Email: ges-ghg@ec.gc.ca

This notice applies to the calendar year 2011. Pursuant to subsection 46(8) of the Act, persons subject to this notice shall keep copies of the required information, together with any calculations, measurements and other data on which the information is based, at the facility to which the calculations, measurements and other data relate, or at the facility’s parent company, located in Canada, for a period of three years from the date the information is required to be submitted. Where the person chooses to keep the information required under the notice, together with any calculations, measurements and other data, at the facility’s parent company in Canada, that person shall inform the Minister of the civic address of that parent company.

If a person who operates a facility, with respect to which information was submitted in response to the Notice with respect to reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) for 2010, determines that the facility does not meet the criteria for reporting set out in this notice, the person shall notify the Minister of the Environment that the facility does not meet these criteria no later than June 1, 2012.

The Minister of the Environment intends to publish greenhouse gas emission totals by gas by facility. Pursuant to section 51 of the Act, any person subject to this notice who provides information in response to this notice may submit, with their information, a written request that it be treated as confidential based on the reasons set out in section 52 of the Act. The person requesting confidential treatment of the information shall indicate which of the reasons in section 52 of the Act applies to their request. Nevertheless, the Minister may disclose, in accordance with subsection 53(3) of the Act, information submitted in response to this notice. Every person to whom a notice is directed shall comply with the notice. A person who fails to comply with the Act is subject to the offence provision.

DAVID MORIN
Acting Director General
Science and Risk Assessment Directorate
On behalf of the Minister of the Environment

Progress Report on the Fight Against Climate Change in Québec

This published document is part of a series of steps leading toward the projected spring 2012tabling of the Action Plan. Committees are currently working to develop various proposals for emission reduction measures and will continue this work in the coming months. These measures will be the subject of consultations targeted toward specific clients and specialized environmental groups.

The progress report on the fight against climate change in Québec is available,in French, on the Department’s website at: www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca.

Persons or organizations who wish to comment on the document are invited to do soat the following address: pacc2020@mddep.gouv.qc.ca.