December 7, 2009

OTTAWA, Ont. - The Government of Canada today released draft regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year.

“Our regulations will help create a common North American approach to regulating greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles,” said Environment Minister Jim Prentice. “This is an important step in the fight against climate change.”

Canada and the U.S. are working towards a common North American approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by introducing aligned and progressively tighter regulatory requirements over the 2011-2016 model years. Because the two countries share a deeply integrated automotive industry, there are significant environmental and economic benefits to an approach that is closely aligned.

Canada is developing stringent regulatory requirements to limit greenhouse gas emissions through the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Today’s release of the draft regulations is the next step in the process that was announced by Minister Prentice in April 2009, and will allow for early consultations with provinces, territories and stakeholders. Following these consultations, proposed regulations are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette Part I for a 60-day formal public comment period.

The draft regulations can be found at http://www.ec.gc.ca/ceparegistry/documents/participation/ghg/default.cfm

• Key features of the draft regulation of GHG emissions from new vehicles - Backgrounder