Reply to Comments on a Discussion Draft of the Proposed On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations

March 2002

On February 17, 2001, the Minister of the Environment published the Federal Agenda on Cleaner Vehicles, Engines and Fuels in the Canada Gazette Part I. This agenda outlined the Minister's intent to develop and implement a series of measures over the next decade to reduce emissions from vehicles, engines and fuels.

One of the major elements of the federal agenda is the development of new regulations under the authority of Part 7, Division 5 of CEPA 1999, to align Canada's emission standards for on-road vehicles and engines with those of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In November, 2001 Environment Canada distributed a Discussion Draft of the proposed "On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations" to a wide range of interested parties, inviting them to provide their views. The draft was also posted on Environment Canada's website to ensure its wide availability. The views of stakeholders have been taken into account in the development of proposed Regulations.

The major issues raised by commenters in regards to the Discussion Draft are addressed in the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) that accompanies the publication of the proposed Regulations in the Canada Gazette Part I. This document provides a more detailed summary of the comments received from stakeholders and provides Environment Canada's response to these comments.