Canadian Environmental Protection Act: compliance and enforcement policy
March 2001
(Under review)
Table of contents
Issued also in French under title: Politique d'observation et d'application de la Loi canadienne sur la protection de l'environnement, (1999) [LCPE, 1999]
ISBN: 0-662-30144-7
Cat. No.: En40-628/2001E
1. Environmental law - Canada
2. Pollution - Law and legislation - Canada
3. Environmental protection - Canada
I. Canada, Environmental Canada
KE3619.C65 2001
344.71'046
C2001-980130-0
© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2001
Introduction
Canadians expect their government to provide laws and regulations, in order to protect them and their society. However, it is not enough to adopt laws; legislation must be effectively enforced.
In the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), parliament has made it matter of law that enforcement of the act must be fair, predictable and consistent.
In keeping with the duty to enforce imposed in the act, this compliance and enforcement policy establishes the principles for enforcement of CEPA and tells everyone who shares a responsibility for protection of the environment - governments, industry, organized labour and individuals - what is expected of them. It also lets everyone know what to expect from Environment and Climated Change Canada and the officers who enforce the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and its regulations. The policy has been developed in co-operation with the Department of Justice.
This document is intended to provide guidance only. It is not a substitute for the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. In the event of an inconsistency between this document and the act, the statute prevails.