2022-01 CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
Whereas #1 On April 13, 2021, the Federal Government introduced legislation, Bill C-28, to upgrade the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) 1999, but an election was called before it made its way through parliament, and it has now been reintroduced as Bill S-5; and
Whereas #2 CEPA which provides the legislative framework for protecting human health and the environment from pollution and toxics requires regular updating and should be modernized; and
Whereas #3 while Bill S-5 contained much-needed improvements CEPA needs to be further strengthened; therefore, be it
Resolved #1 that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that Canadian environmental protection legislation include:
a) the right to a healthy environment with no qualifying language and with an implementation framework
b) a list of substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to all species’ reproduction to be updated annually
c) a list of toxic substances and provisions for the elimination of inorganic substances such as mercury and lead with a mandatory pollution prevention plan
d) a shift to the use of less harmful chemicals
e) provisions for assessing and managing the environmental risks of new drugs
f) consideration of population species which are vulnerable to toxic substances
g) aggregate exposures and cumulative effects
h) clear time frames for assessments and remediation
i) legally binding air, land, and water quality standards
j) the requirement for GMO food labelling
k) requiring the proponent to provide the proof that a new living organism is not toxic; and be it further
Resolved #2 that NCWC urge the Government of Canada to reintroduce and prioritize legislation to upgrade CEPA with the following amendments:
a) remove the qualifying language in the right to a healthy environment, of balancing the right and develop an implementation framework
b) specify in the act the substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction of all species, to be updated annually and indicate how they will be addressed
c) restore the phrase “List of Toxic Substances” to Schedule
d) make a pollution prevention plan mandatory and aim for the virtual elimination of inorganic substances such as mercury and lead;
e) shift to safer alternatives to toxic substances;
f) clearly define populations vulnerable to toxic substances
g) require assessments of aggregate exposures to substances as well as cumulative effects, not only in humans but in nature
h) establish clear time frames for assessments so that risk management actions can proceed without delays
i) make ambient air quality standards legally binding
j) require GMO food labelling
k) reverse the burden of proof and require that the proponent show that a new living organism is not toxic.