OTTAWA, Ont. -- October
13, 2010 -- Today Canada's Environment Minister
Jim Prentice released the results of a joint
industry and government review of the quality
of gasoline and diesel fuel in Canada. The
report indicates that Canadians currently
have access to high quality
fuel. The report was developed by a joint
Technical Working group at the request of
Minister Prentice following concerns raised
that Canada's fuel quality was below standards.
The group analyzed fuel quality parameters
related to on-road gasoline and diesel.
"This government
is taking action on a number of fronts to
reduce emissions from road transportation
which accounts for 18% of greenhouse gas
emissions in Canada," said Minister
Prentice. "I am pleased to deliver
this report that validates that current
standards are delivering results for Canadians,
therefore helping to reduce vehicle emissions."
Given the highly-integrated
North American market for both vehicles
and fuels, a comparison to fuels in the
United States was viewed as most appropriate
when assessing the quality of Canadian fuels.
The working group report indicated that
the quality of Canadian gasoline and diesel
is equal to, or better than the current
United States quality requirements in most
parameters studied.
"This report confirms
that Canadians have access to high quality
fuels that deliver strong environmental
performance", said Peter Boag, President
of the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute.
"We are pleased that the Government
has reaffirmed its commitment to aligning
Canadian and United States fuel standards."
"The members of
the Association of International Automobile
Manufacturers of Canada appreciate the fact
that the Minister established the working
group to assess fuel quality parameters
in Canada," said David Adams, President.
"Fuel producers and vehicle manufacturers
must continue to work together in a 'systems
approach' to ensure that emissions reductions
from motor vehicles can be maximized for
the benefit of all Canadians. This type
of assessment and analysis from time to
time is useful and helpful for both industries,
and ultimately for our shared consumer."
Mark Nantais, President
of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
said that "Vehicle technology and appropriate
fuel formulations operate as an integrated
system, which is necessary for maximum emission
reductions and reliable performance throughout
the life of a vehicle. Because vehicle manufacturers
design vehicles for the entire North American
market, Canada must align itself with the
United States on fuels and emissions regulations,
including renewable fuel quality and blend
level requirements."
+ More
Canada Announces a New
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
OTTAWA, Ont. -- October
6, 2010 -- Canada's Environment Minister,
the Honourable Jim Prentice, today announced
the tabling of a new Federal Sustainable
Development Strategy for Canada, which provides
a government-wide approach to improve environmental
sustainability. The Strategy renders federal
environmental decision making more transparent
and accountable to Canadians.
"For the first
time, Canadians and Parliamentarians will
be able to see a comprehensive picture of
federal actions to achieve environmental
sustainability and also be able to track
progress," said the Honourable Jim
Prentice. "The Strategy tabled by the
Government of Canada today responds to comments
and recommendations by Commissioners of
the Environment and Sustainable Development
over the years about systemic weaknesses
in the previous approach to Sustainable
Development in the Government of Canada."
The Federal Sustainable
Development Strategy makes three key improvements
to the transparency of environmental decision-making.
First, it provides an integrated, whole-of-government
picture of government actions and concrete
results to achieve environmental sustainability.
Second, it forges a clear link between sustainable
development planning and reporting and the
Government's core expenditure planning and
reporting system. Lastly, it sets the stage
for effective measurement, monitoring, and
reporting in order to track and report on
progress to Canadians.
The Strategy increases
transparency that will drive change over
time. The three-year cycle to update and
report on results in the Federal Sustainable
Development Strategy establishes a system
of "plan, do, check, and improve".
The new approach promises to be a useful
and meaningful addition to results-based
public management.
At the same time, the
Government of Canada is also taking measures
to reduce the environmental footprint of
its own operations in the key areas of green
buildings, electronic waste, printing units,
paper consumption, green meetings, green
procurement, and greenhouse gas emissions
from federal operations. The Government
will take action now to reduce levels of
greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations
to match the national target of 17% below
2005 by 2020.
The Strategy also commits
to strengthening the guidelines for strategic
environmental assessments by federal departments
which help integrate environmental considerations
related to economic and social decision-making.
