OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Tuesday that Canada’s New Government will be introducing its Clean Air Act in the House of Commons, once Parliament resumes next week following the Thanksgiving break.

The Act, designed to tackle air pollution and greenhouse gasses, will take practical and achievable steps toward:

• Moving industry away from voluntary compliance toward strict enforcement;
• Replacing current ad hoc, patchwork regulatory system with clear and comprehensive national standards; and
• Instituting a holistic approach that doesn’t treat the related issues of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in isolation.

The introduction of Canada’s Clean Air Act builds on earlier environmental initiatives from Canada’s New Government, including:
Action to reduce the release of mercury into our surroundings;

• Reductions to the release of toxic substances from base metal smelters;
• New tax incentives for the banking of environmentally-sensitive lands;
• Funding for the development of renewable fuels; and
• The introduction of new infrastructure funding dedicated to public transit, as well as tax credits for the people who use public transportation.

“All these new measures have one thing in common,” says Jean, “they are focused on outcomes and achievable results in creating a healthier ecosystem for ourselves and generations to come. Unlike the previous Liberal government which saw an increase in emissions and a decline in air quality, these measures are designed to improve Canadians’ quality of life.”


For more information, please contact: Brian Jean (613) 992-1154 or (780) 743-2201