Ontario's approach to reducing air pollution addresses multiple types of pollutants and targets key emissions sectors (power generation, manufacturing and transportation) through education, legislation and incentive programs.
Ontario also works with neighbouring provinces, the federal government, and the United States to address transboundary pollution (air pollution that crosses borders).
Components of Ontario's air strategy include:
- Ontario's Environmental Protection Act - section 9 of the act requires that all facilities that have the potential to emit pollutants to the environment obtain approval from the Ministry of the Environment to do so.
- Air Quality Index (AQI) and Smog Alert Program - a network of 40 ambient air monitoring stations across the province supply real-time, air-pollutant data to the ministry. This data is relayed to the public via Ontario's AQI and Smog Alert Program. The data and related information are available at www.airqualityontario.com.
- Drive Clean - a vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program that helps reduce the emissions of both smog-causing pollutants and greenhouse gases.
- Ontario Regulation 194/05 - Industry Emissions - sets tough limits on the emissions of two key smog-causing pollutants - nitrogen oxide (NOX) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
- Ontario Regulation 419/05: Air Pollution - Local Air Quality - sets air quality standards for toxic substances to protect local communities.
- Ontario Regulation 397/01: Emissions Trading - sets caps on the emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the electricity sector.
- Ontario Regulation 127/01: Airborne Contaminant Discharge - Monitoring and Reporting - requires Ontario-based facilities that emit certain quantities of specific substances to report their emissions to the government. These emissions reports must also be made available to the public.