Canada: Air Quality Standards

Overview

 * Standard type: National ambient air quality standards and objectives
 * Regulatory body: Environment Canada and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
 * Current standard: National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs) and Canada-Wide Standards
 * Applicability: Nationwide

History
Canada currently uses two sets of air quality standards: National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs) and Canada-Wide Standards (CWS).

The first National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQOs) were created in the mid-70s, and are supported by Canada’s foremost federal environmental law, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

In 1998, an alternative regulatory tool was adopted to help manage environmental issues within Canada. Canadian Environment Ministers (except Quebec) signed the Canada-Wide Accord on Environmental Harmonization, putting into effect a set of standards known as the Canada-Wide Standards (CWS). Under the CEPA 1999, CWS are considered Environmental Quality Objectives. In June 2000, CWS for PM and O3 were assigned, committing the nation (except Quebec) to significant reductions in PM and ground-level ozone by 2010.

Air pollutants recognized as problematic are either managed through the NAAQOs program or the CWS, not both. Some departments in the Canadian government, however, have integrated their NAAQOs and CWS divisions. Health Canada offers a diagram showing the process by which air pollutants are assessed for risk and put into a management program.

Links
Regulations Related To Health And Air Quality

Environment Canada National Ambient Air Quality Objectives