Welcome to Environment Canada’s Clean Air website.

Hon. David Anderson P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment

The evidence continues to mount that air pollution has an effect on our health. Especially vulnerable are our children, the elderly and those who suffer from cardiac and respiratory disease. Air quality concerns may seem especially important in the summer when the smog is a visible reminder, but it is important to remember that pollution is a year-round concern. It affects our cities and towns, our rural farmlands and our northern communities.

We are taking action on clean air in Canada by working to address transboundary pollution, to improve our monitoring and to gain a greater understanding of the science. At the same time, we are taking steps for cleaner emissions with action on vehicles and the fuels that power them, encouraging partners and provinces to reduce industrial emissions, and engaging Canadians with ideas for individual and corporate actions for clean air.

This website contains information on all of these areas, as well as some links to other sites of interest. I hope you will take some time to browse through, and check back frequently for updates.

For further information:

• More initiatives to clean our air announced by the Government of Canada

News Releases:

• August
  • Smog study underway at Toronto schools
• July
  • Government of Canada announces next steps in program to reduce particulate matter, a primary component of smog
• June
  • More initiatives to clean our air announced by the Government of Canada
  • Canada and the United States resume negotiations to reduce transboundary smog
  • Environment Minister David Anderson welcomes progress on air, water and climate change at meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
  • Environment Minister launches Environment Week and Clean Air Day by encouraging individual and community action
• May
  • Key smog-causing pollutant declared toxic under federal law
  • Progress begins to develop long term agenda to reduce air pollution from vehicles and fuels
  • Environment Canada launches consultations on cleaner vehicles and fuels in Toronto on May 25 and 26, 2000
  • Environment Minister David Anderson announces immediate and long term actions to bring cleaner air to Canadians
  • From Parliament Hill to Windsor: The Ethanol Vehicle Challenge Road Rally Begins
  • Communities, Government and Industry unveil Clean Air Challenge for Clean Air Day 2000
  • Minister Anderson stands firm on health and environment benefits from the regulation to reduce sulphur levels in gasoline
  • Minister Anderson congratulates the Canadian Lung Association on its 100th anniversary
• April
  • Minister Anderson's Earth Day Challenge to Canadians: Choose What You Use
• February
  • Canada and the United States begin negotiations to reduce transboundary smog
• January
  • Canada and the United States clean air negotiations to begin in February
• December
  • Canada signs international agreement on acid rain and smog reductions
• November
  • Federal support for better wood burning in Canadian homes

Speeches:

• June
  • "Clean Air for All Canadians: Addressing the Challenge of Smog" Speaking Points for the Hon. David Anderson, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment at the Toronto Smog Summit
• May
  • Clean Air Healthier Lives Speaking notes for the Hon. David Anderson, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment to the University Club Toronto
  • Speaking notes for the Hon. David Anderson, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment at a test drive of fuel cell vehicles in Ottawa
• March
  • "The Clean Air Challenge" Speaking Notes for the Hon. David Anderson, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment at Hart House, University of Toronto
• February
  • Canada-United States ozone negotiations Joint United States-Canada statement