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2.0 Progress and activities: 1998-1999

Toward a healthier environment through prevention and protection

A two-level strategy, prevention and protection, was the focus of the ASAP partners' activities in 1998-1999. Building on the foundation provided in the Plan, the partners continued to develop activities, plans and initiatives to improve the environment in Ontario and address the health challenges associated with smog.

This report is organized around the partners' progress and activities relating to five key thrusts of the Anti-Smog Action Plan:

• develop a particulate emissions reduction strategy;
  
  
• engage the public, business and government in smog reduction actions;
  
  
• achieve emission reductions (for the industrial, transportation and public sectors) and set sectoral targets for emission reductions for NOx, VOCs and particulates;
  
  
• reduce transboundary pollution; and,
  
  
• monitor performance and measure progress through implementation of a disciplined management policy.

“Member companies of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association have a successful record of significant environmental achievement through defined voluntary action, over and above regulation. The Ontario government Anti-Smog Action Plan provides a valuable partnership mechanism for the automotive industry to carry out its smog reducing initiatives effectively and efficiently while working towards the mutual goal of significant air quality improvement in this province.

Mark Nantais
President
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association

Progress highlights: 1998 - 1999

A comprehensive combination of scientific research, policy and legislative initiatives, voluntary action, reduction measures and disciplined management provided the foundation for the past year's smog prevention and protection efforts.

Action on particulates:

Ontario leads the country in the development of a fine particulate strategy—provincial expertise in inhalable and respirable particles has been extensively utilized for participation in the development of Canada-Wide Standards for ozone and particulates. Expertise has been made available for independent scientific reviews on how to build Ontario's knowledge, science, and technologies toward reduction of smog precursors and particulate matter.

Community engagement:

Awareness and engagement of all sectors, with particular focus on the general public, has been a central point of activity in this past year. Through Ontario's Drive Clean Program and a system of Smog Alerts, a social marketing campaign has developed that focuses on strategies for lifestyle change, community engagement and public health awareness. Smog Alerts, A Municipal Response Guide, 1999, was prepared by the Ministry of the Environment to provide guidance to the municipalities for the pur- pose of establishing local smog policies and recommendations for action during a smog alert.

Emission reductions:

Initial planning efforts identified area and point source emission reductions of approximately 50 per cent for NOx/VOCs. The transportation and industrial/manufacturing sectors are stepping up efforts in this area. Work groups established in 1996-1998 are continuing their efforts; new ones have formed and additional partners have signed the Smog Accord—underscoring the commitment of hundreds more businesses and thousands of their employees to reduce smog.

Transboundary initiatives:

Ontario was granted intervener status in the U.S. Court of Appeals to support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in its defence against a challenge to the EPA's State Implementation Plans (SIP) Call for NOx. The SIP Call (Sept. 24,1998) set caps for states to limit their NOx emissions and required 22 states and the District of Columbia to submit SIPs by Sept. 30, 1999. The rule requires that emission reduction measures be in place by May 1, 2003, and that caps be met by 2007. This rule would reduce emissions in the United States and reduce transboundary pollution into Ontario. Eight states launched a legal challenge to the validity of the EPA's NOx SIP Call. There are now more than 100 potential litigants. Ontario filed its brief on July 16, 1999, in support of the EPA. In March 2000, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favour of the EPA.

Disciplined management:

A key element of the Plan, the disciplined management policy, has been further developed and is now in the implementation phase. The policy features a framework for performance monitoring and report- ing, as well as 10 progress indicators which can be used to objectively, fairly and scientifically measure and report on actual reductions achieved.

New partners join the Anti-Smog Action Plan

1998-1999

We, the undersigned, will agree to work in support of Ontario's Anti-Smog Accord

Highlights of Progress:ASAP Reductions Identified, Planned or Implemented

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