Canadian Environmental
Protection Act (CEPA)

 Review Questionnaire for
the Health Sector

 “Will Your Organization’s
Voice Be Heard?”

 FINAL Draft July 28, 2005

Introduction

In this Section
 
 


Questionnaire

   
 
   
 

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) is an Act respecting pollution prevention and the protection of the environmentand human health in order to contribute to sustainable development. Proclaimed on March 31, 2000 , the CEPA is Canada 's primary piece of environmental legislation, with pollution prevention and the precautionary principle as its cornerstones. The existing act was primarily a response to public concerns about environmental contaminants and their management “from cradle to grave”, i.e., from development and manufacture / importation through to transportation, distribution, use, storage, and waste disposal. This year, it is up for review.

CEPA 1999 is an important and evolving legislative tool. Unlike most legislation, CEPA 1999 is subjected to parliamentary review every five years. Thus, Canadians are provided opportunities to give their views on how well they feel the Act is protecting the environment and human health.

It is the relationship between human health and the environment that is of interest in the questionnaire below. The Health Advisory Committee for CEPA Review, a committee of the Canadian Environmental Network, is seeking participation from interested health organizations / parties to make their views known to Health Canada and Environment Canada, in preparation for the Parliamentary Review later this year.

This questionnaire is designed to both inform you and elicit your interest in providing input to the parliamentary review committee. Think of it as a decision-making tool, to help you and your agency decide whether you wish to give meaningful input to the review process, and thus contribute to the future health of Canadians.

Confidentiality

The information provided by means of this Health Sector CEPA Review Questionnaire will remain confidential, and is safeguarded in accordance with the Policy Act of 2001, as amended. The survey data are reported only in aggregate form or in a manner that does not identify information about an individual or organization.


"Please indicate the name of your Association and/or your  contact name/ email." 


1. Which of the following best describes the sector in which you work? 


Other (please specify)

2. Are you familiar with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act?

If “Yes”, please proceed to SECTION A, then SECTION B.

If “No” or “Slightly”, please proceed to SECTION B. 

SECTION A

3. Before reading the introductory paragraph above, were you aware
that CEPA is up for review this year?  

If “Yes”, please proceed to question 5.  

4. If “No”, were you aware that CEPA is reviewed every five years?  

5. How did you learn about the CEPA Review Process?

Other: (please specify)

6. How familiar are you with each of the following CEPA Review components?  

 

  

CEPA Review Website


CEPA Review Public Consultation 

Scoping the Issues Document (Government of Canada )


CEPA documents for Health Professionals at www.nb.lung.ca/cepa



Are you aware of any issues or gaps in the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act that relate to the work of your organization?



If yes, please briefly describe those issues or gaps.  

How likely is your organization to give input into the CEPA Review
Process by means of a presentation to the Parliamentary Committee?

How likely is your organization to give input into the CEPA Review
Process by means of a submission to the Parliamentary Committee?

11. If “somewhat unlikely” or “very unlikely” to give input, would your organization participate or endorse a submission to the CEPA review process by the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Lung Association?

If “Yes”, please identify name of organization and contact information.  

SECTION B

12. As part of the health sector, does your organization have any role or
responsibilities with respect to the following?

 

Pollution prevention




Precautionary principle




Public Participation in legislative review



New Substances List of the Environmental Registry



Domestic Substances List of the Environmental Registry  




 Sales of New Substances




 Hazardous Waste  




 Hazardous Waste Recycling




 Fuels, Vehicle and Engine Emissions 




 Disposal at Sea




Emergency Response for Hazardous Substances




Land contamination with hazardous substances




Air pollution with hazardous substances




Health Indicators




Risk communication


13.Are you aware that these activities are covered under CEPA?

 

14. Do you intend to read CEPA with respect to the sections relevant to your organization?

15. If you identify issues or gaps within those sections, do you intend to provide comments on improvements to CEPA via the Parliamentary Review process?  

If yes, please visit the Government of Canada ’s CEPA Review website at:

http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/review/default.cfm 

If you would also forward your comments to receptionist@nb.lung.ca

it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your input! Your answers will be used to:  

  • add to our knowledge of health sector issues, policy gaps, and
    responsibility areas vis à vis CEPA;      
  • measure our effectiveness in creating interest within the Canadian
    health sector in giving input to the Review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Legislative Summaries (LS 285E) Bill C-32: The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1998. Background. p. 1.

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