Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and other partners advocate for updating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to better address pollution and toxic chemical exposure. They highlight the severe health impacts of pollution, including 7,700 premature deaths annually from poor air quality, and emphasize the disproportionate burden on vulnerable populations such as children and Indigenous communities. The statement supports legislative changes to recognize the right to a healthy environment, implement binding air and water quality standards, and increase transparency in product labelling.

• The current Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is nearly twenty years old and requires updates to align with modern scientific understanding of pollution sources and effects, as well as international legal developments.
• Pollution and toxic substances cause significant health and economic damage in Canada, with poor air quality alone linked to 7,700 premature deaths each year.
• Cumulative exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and carcinogens in everyday consumer products is linked to increased rates of chronic conditions, including diabetes, obesity, asthma, allergies, and childhood cancers.
• Public polling indicates strong support for CEPA reform, with 92% of Canadians agreeing the government should recognize the right to a healthy, non-toxic environment and 96% supporting full disclosure of all ingredients, including toxics, on product labels.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2017). Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.Re-Strengthening-the-Canadian-Environmental-Protection-Act-1999-CEPA-Sept.-5-2017.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). 2017. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.Re-Strengthening-the-Canadian-Environmental-Protection-Act-1999-CEPA-Sept.-5-2017.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) |date=5 September 2017 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.Re-Strengthening-the-Canadian-Environmental-Protection-Act-1999-CEPA-Sept.-5-2017.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2017strengthening, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2017}, month = sep, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.Re-Strengthening-the-Canadian-Environmental-Protection-Act-1999-CEPA-Sept.-5-2017.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }