What does the Canadian Environmental Protection Act do?
The new Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 is the centrepiece of the federal government’s pollution control regime. It is principally administered by Environment Canada, although Health Canada has certain responsibilities in relation to the assessment and regulation of toxic substances. The underlying principles are to ensure pollution prevention, achieve sustainable development, protect biological diversity, exercise caution in cases of scientific uncertainty, adopt an ecosystem approach to environmental management, and virtually eliminate persistent and bioaccumulative toxic substances. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 contains numerous provisions which address water pollution and environmental enforcement, and, as a result, provides some degree of protection for surface waters. For example, the Act: • Creates a public right to formally apply for an investigation of suspected contraventions of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (sections 17 to 21); • Cr
