Fax to Minister

Fax to Minister

[French Version]

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Date:	May 17, 2008
To:	Honourable John Baird
Re:
The Honourable John Baird The Honourable John Baird Les Terrasses de la Chaudière 10 Wellington St., 28th Floor Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3 Tel.: (819) 997-1441 Fax: (819) 953-0279 E-mail: John.Baird@ec.gc.ca Dear Minister Baird, As a Canadian concerned about the environment, I am writing to express my support for increased government action to promote the reduction of pollution in our communities and to take action to lower greenhouse gas emissions from Canadian sources. Using the PollutionWatch web site (www.PollutionWatch.org), I noticed that the pollution levels in Canada are very high. I also noticed that some facilities are reducing the amount of pollutants released to the air, water and land while other facilities continue to increase the amount of pollutants released to the environment or transferred. Across Canada, each and every year, large amounts of pollutants known to be toxic under our laws, carcinogens, suspected of being reproductive/developmental toxins and suspected respiratory toxins are released from facilities to our air, water and land. This is unacceptable as Canadians expect to be protected from exposure to such pollution. In addition, the PollutionWatch web site also shows that many of the same facilities are releasing greenhouse gases, which cause global climate change. I am very concerned about the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into the environment and the amounts reported by Canadian facilities. What are the government’s plans to reduce these greenhouse gas levels? I believe that, as a minimum, Canada should live up to its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, and reduce greenhouse gases to meet the international targets. I also firmly believe that the issue of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada should be a priority for all levels of government. The federal government must lead this effort and engage with its provincial and territorial counterparts to take effective action. The federal government’s role in tracking and managing pollution in Canada should be strengthened. Programs that collect data on pollutant releases and transfers and emissions of greenhouse gases, such as the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program are of utmost importance to Canadians who want to see a cleaner and healthier environment. If Canadians are to promote a healthier environment, the NPRI and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program must be expanded. Strengthening these programs is an essential element of Canada’s efforts to reduce pollution. As matter of priority, Environment Canada should: ?Release each of the two parliamentary committee reports on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) before March 31, 2007. ?Develop or accelerate reduction and elimination targets for CEPA toxic substances and require that targets are met using pollution prevention methods. ?Establish mandatory national emission standards, through global best practices, for all criteria air contaminants. ?Set timelines to virtually eliminate releases of carcinogens to the air and water by 2015. ?Ensure resources are directed to enhance and expand the National Pollutant Release Inventory program, including the requirement for mandatory pollution prevention plans from all facilities and closing reporting loopholes, such as the exemption for mining waste. ?Ensure Canada recommits to its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and establishes regulated targets and timelines for reducing greenhouse gases from large final emitters. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely yours,
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