Modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act — Canada’s pollution and toxics law

The document calls for the modernization of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 1999, through an improved Bill C-28. It emphasizes the need for stronger regulation of toxic substances, including bans on carcinogens and hormone disruptors, and the implementation of chemical labelling for consumer products. The briefing highlights the disproportionate impact of toxics on marginalized groups, such as Inuit women and children, and lower-income Canadians, arguing that a strengthened CEPA is essential for a green and just recovery from COVID-19.

• The authors recommend the rapid reintroduction of an improved Bill C-28 as a legislative priority and the implementation of regulations within 100 days to require chemical labelling in consumer products such as furniture, cleaners, and cosmetics.
• Exposure to toxic substances is identified as a public health and environmental justice issue, with specific impacts noted for vulnerable populations: Inuit pregnant women and children show significantly higher levels of PFAS, and lower-income Canadians are three times more likely to live within one kilometer of major air pollution sources than higher-income individuals.
• The document cites severe health outcomes linked to pollution and toxics in Canada, including 15,300 premature deaths annually from air pollution, and the presence of BPA and PFAS in 80% and 100% of Canadians' bodies, respectively.
• Proposed amendments to CEPA should include legal requirements to ban highly hazardous substances like reproductive toxins, carcinogens, and hormone disruptors (such as PFAS, phthalates, and BPA), address the cumulative effects of chemicals, and recognize a human right to a healthy environment.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (n.d.). Modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act — Canada’s pollution and toxics law. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Joint-CEPA-briefing-note-Nov-2020-updated-August-2021.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act — Canada’s pollution and toxics law. n.d. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Joint-CEPA-briefing-note-Nov-2020-updated-August-2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act — Canada’s pollution and toxics law |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Joint-CEPA-briefing-note-Nov-2020-updated-August-2021.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironmentndmodernizing, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act — Canada’s pollution and toxics law}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Joint-CEPA-briefing-note-Nov-2020-updated-August-2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }