Canadian government to introduce new GHG standards for vehicles

Government of Canada announced on April 1, 2009 that it will introduce tough new regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the automotive sector under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA).

“Any significant strategy to address greenhouse gases and pollution must address on-road emissions, and that is exactly what we are doing,” said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment. “The new regulations under CEPA will be very effective in helping transform our automotive sector and make it greener.”

In keeping with the federal government’s commitment to put these regulations in place for 2011 model year vehicles, the Government will proceed immediately to put regulations in place under CEPA. By taking this approach, the Government of Canada will have the flexibility to harmonize its regulations with the broad range of possible future actions from the U.S. government to address greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

These regulations are expected to help achieve the government’s commitment to reducing Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 2006 levels by 2020. Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, accounting for about 27% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. Passenger cars and light trucks account for 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions or 46% of transportation emissions.

The Government has published a Notice of Intent and consultations with interested parties will proceed as soon as possible. Proposed regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette later this year, followed by a formal public review and comment period. Final regulations will come into force in 2010 and will apply to vehicles of the 2011 and later model years.

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