Private Member's Bill C-469

January 28, 2008

Today we have been discussing control of phosphate in dishwasher and laundry detergents, as a measure to address harmful blooms of blue-green algae in Canada’s water. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of protecting our waterways from substances that can have environmental and health impacts on Canadians.

Although it sometimes seems that pollution sources are obvious, the problem for some types of pollution is that there can be numerous sources and this is the case for phosphates which enter waterways from many sources.

According to our current information the largest source of phosphates at the national level is agriculture, followed by wastewater. Tackling a source of phosphates, like detergents, should be considered in the context of a larger suite of actions to address the health of our waterways.

Discharges from our wastewater systems are the single largest source of pollution by volume to surface water. They contain a large number of pollutants including phosphorus.
Many of our wastewater systems in coastal areas and surprisingly, in a few of our major cities are far from adequate.

In many cases there is no wastewater treatment at all. In other parts of the country our wastewater systems are very old and need upgrading. In many major Canadian cities our sewer systems overflow with untreated wastewater every time it rains.

But what surprises me the most for Canada is that the current standards are often less strict than what was put in place years ago in the United States or Europe. I cannot offer reasons why Canada is behind the United States and Europe in modern wastewater regulations. I can tell you that this government is committed to quick action, which is why we are going to be bringing in regulations in the next year that will reduce pollutants in wastewater that pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Draft regulations will be published as soon as we can and will set out new national baseline standards that would apply to over 4000 wastewater systems across Canada including those managed municipal, provincial, federal governments and those in Aboriginal communities.

This action will deal with the dumping of untreated wastewater into our lakes, rivers, and oceans, and greatly improve wastewater treatment and water quality across Canada. These actions will also help reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the environment. These actions by this government will lead to tangible improvements and protect the water environment and human health.

We can’t do this alone. We have told our provincial and territorial colleagues that we are committed to continue working with them on a Canada-wide Strategy for managing wastewater because the vast majority of the wastewater systems are owned and managed by the local level of government. A collaborative approach among governments will bring the quickest and best results for Canadians.

We understand that water is an issue that touches everyone and across all orders of government. Environment Canada officials have recently completed cross-country consultations with Aboriginal peoples and organizations, municipalities and non-governmental organizations and associations. The input received through the consultations will help us in finalizing our work with the provinces and territories and shape and implement the proposed federal wastewater regulations.

These new regulations will come at a cost and it will take time - but there is good news. The Government of Canada recently unveiled the details of its historic $33-billion infrastructure plan. Part of this plan includes the $8.1 billion to assist provinces and municipalities to upgrade infrastructure such as sewage treatment facilities and contribute to a healthier environment for Canadians and businesses.

The Building Canada infrastructure plan means building a stronger, safer and better Canada. It provides more funding, over a longer period of time, from 2007 to 2014, than any previous federal infrastructure initiative.

Building Canada is focused on delivering results that matter to Canadians—cleaner air and water, safer roads, shorter commutes, and prosperous, livable communities. This seven year plan will make a real difference in the everyday lives of Canadians, while supporting the nation's priorities—a stronger economy, cleaner environment and better communities.

We are committed to protecting and preserving Canada’s water, and to reducing pollution. Taking action through national wastewater regulations is one major tangible step in the right direction. Thank you.