Press Release

THE CABINET AUTHORIZES THE PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT AIR QUALITY REGULATION

Québec, November 9, 2005 – Mr. Thomas J. Mulcair, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, and Deputy Government House Leader, announces the Cabinet’s decision to publish in the Gazette officielle du Québec the Draft Air Quality Regulation.

This draft regulation is an overhaul of the Regulation respecting the Quality of the Atmosphere, which entered into force in 1979. The draft regulation aims to reduce and control contaminants with a view to further protecting the quality of the atmosphere and, consequently, human health and ecosystems. This legislation makes it possible to achieve Québec’s objectives in the fight again smog, acid precipitation and toxic atmospheric pollution. It also seeks to reduce and control contaminants that may be the origin of local and regional problems associated with bad air quality.

“The overhaul of the regulation has become necessary to take into account the scientific, technological and economic developments of recent years, as well as new knowledge about the effects of atmospheric contaminants on health and ecosystems. The Draft Air Quality Regulation updates emission and air quality standards while ensuring a better coverage of industrial and commercial activities. This legislation will also make it possible to harmonize Québec’s requirements in the air quality control field in keeping with its commitments to deal with atmospheric problems,” pointed out Minister Mulcair.

Indeed, Québec has made commitments to tackle atmospheric problems in the Canada/U.S. Air Quality Agreement, the Canada-Wide Acid Rain Strategy and the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. In addition, the draft regulation incorporates the guidelines of the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) seeking to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

The draft regulation is submitted to public consultation during a 60-day period. It may be consulted on the web site of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs.

Interested persons are asked to submit their comments in writing, no later than January 15, 2006, by sending them to Mr. Michel Goulet, Head of the Service de la qualité de l’atmosphère, Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, Édifice Marie-Guyart, 675, boulevard René‑Lévesque Est, 6^e étage, boîte 30, Québec (Québec), G1R 5V7. If you have any questions regarding the draft regulation, you can contact Mr. Martin Lecours at (418) 521-3813, extension 4973, by fax, at (418) 646-0001, or by e-mail, at martin.lecours@mddefp.gouv.qc.ca.

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