Last week, Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, announced that the federal government intends to align its transportation-related air pollution emission standards with more stringent U.S. proposed Tier 3 standards.
Both the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association and the Global Automakers of Canada, along with the Canadian Fuels Association and Original Equipment Manufacturers such as Toyota, have pledged their support for the new regulations.
“Our association continues to support the government’s ongoing efforts to harmonize both vehicle-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emission standards with those in the United States, consistent with the objectives of the Canada–United States Regulatory Cooperation Council’s action plan,” stated Mark Nantais, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association.
David Adams, president of the Global Automakers of Canada said that the association fully supports the federal government’s stance in aligning with the Environmental Protection Agency when it comes to emissions standards. “Through the reduction of sulphur in gasoline from 30 parts per million (ppm) to 10 ppm with a low sulphur cap, the government is reinforcing that a systems approach to vehicles and fuels is necessary to maximize emissions reductions for the benefit of Canadians.”
Seiji Ichii, president and CEO, Toyota Canada Inc. said that “Toyota responds to the world’s need for affordable fuel efficient and low emission vehicles through constant innovation in conventional and advanced technologies. We are proud to say that the launch of hybrid vehicle production at our plant in Cambridge, Ont., next year will make Toyota the first manufacturer to build highly efficient gasoline, hybrid and electric vehicles in Canada.”
Peter Boag, president of the Canadian Fuels Association, added that “we are pleased to see a continuing commitment by the federal government to align Canada’s fuel sulphur content regulations with United States requirements.”
Under the Regulatory Cooperation Council announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama, Canada and the U.S. have agreed to tightly align regulatory work on light duty vehicle emissions. A notice announcing the Government’s intention will be published in the June 8 issue of the Canada Gazette, Part I.
This is the latest federal action to provide clean air in Canada. In May, the government announced the new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter and ground-level ozone.
