Green Party protects your right to clean air

OTTAWA -- The Green Party today is calling for improved National Air Emission Standards in Canada. "The Canadian government has refused to protect its citizens from toxic emissions," said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “This situation can not be allowed to continue.”

Canada's regulation of air quality lags behind that of other nations. Canada allows sulphur dioxide at concentrations of 115 parts per million (ppm) while the European Union, for example, allows 48 and Australia permits 80. The Green Party knows that regulating to reduce the precursors of smog (particulates, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide), as well as to reduce serious neuro-toxic contamination of air with mercury, is necessary and is immediately possible within the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

Weak Canadian standards have encouraged industry to relocate in Canada. The move allows them to avoid expensive emissions reducing equipment which can cost millions of dollars in installation and operating costs.  However, allowing profits to win out over pollution control is a huge step backward and must not be tolerated in Canada.

The community of Swan River, Manitoba is an example of a community torn by the lure of new jobs tainted by the health hazard of toxic emissions. When forestry giant Louisiana Pacific (LP) came to town in 1994 to open an oriented strand board (OSB) mill, the residents rallied to force the company to install emissions reduction equipment. Now, 15 years later, that equipment needs to be replaced and LP is balking at the expense.  With permission from the Manitoba NDP government, the mill’s emission control equipment has been shut down since January.  The people are again forced to abandon their daily routines in order to fight for their right to clean air, without government help.

The Green Party is committed to protecting the health of Canadians. “We are already facing an epidemic level of respiratory diseases, exacerbated by poor air quality. Three million Canadians, about 8.4 % of the country's population, and one in eight children suffer from asthma and the numbers are increasing rapidly. This issue deserves action immediately," said May.

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Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Executive Assistant to the Leader
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext.239
(c) 613-614-4916