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Minister's Introductory Letter - Partners in Progress: ASAP Progress Report

Cleaner air is everybody's business. As individuals, organizations, industries and governments, we must all work together for a healthy environment.

Ontario's commitment to reduction of ozone levels and emissions of ozone-forming chemicals is well known. We have set up a multi-sectoral partnership and developed the Anti-Smog Action Plan (ASAP) to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Ontario by 45 percent of 1990 levels by 2015 and to develop an Ontario strategy to reduce emissions contributing to fine particulate matter.

Ontario's Anti-Smog Action Plan brings together a unique partnership involving industry associations, companies, government agencies and non-government organizations. Several industries are undertaking aggressive programs to reduce their NOx, VOCs, sulphur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter emissions. Others are working hard to better understand their emissions and the opportunities that are available for reductions, in order to develop reduction programs.

More than 50 organizations representing individual companies, industrial associations, and governments have now signed Ontario's Anti-Smog Accord - proof positive of the broad level of support that's out there for our goals. We have all invested a lot of hard work into designing and implementing the plan.

There's no doubt that we have made significant progress toward reducing the emissions that lead to smog. For example, we have learned a great deal more about particulate matter in Ontario over the last couple of years. This is a product of the work of the Anti-Smog Action Plan partners and work we've done with the federal and other provincial governments in developing Canada-Wide Standards for ozone and particulate matter.

As important as it is to reduce Ontario's smog-related emissions, we must remember that at least half of Ontario's smog problem is attributed to U.S. sources. That is why I strongly endorse the action of the federal government to negotiate and secure significant reductions from the upwind jurisdictions.

Much of the credit for progress to date goes to those who have signed the Anti-Smog Accord, the ASAP Operating Committee members and the working group participants who have determined baseline emissions inventory information and have designed and implemented unique quick-start actions and long-term reduction strategies.

In view of the significant effects associated with smog, I will now be challenging the partnership to reduce emissions more quickly - by 2010. This is, however, contingent upon the federal government negotiating similar reductions from the U.S. in the talks scheduled this fall.

There are tremendous opportunities - in terms of technologies available, in terms of the willingness of industries throughout the province to take up the fight, and in terms of the significant progress that is possible without compromising the quality of life we currently enjoy. In 2000, our focus is on identifying, planning and implementing further integrated reduction measures and actions. Good progress has been made and great momentum has been built up; however, still more work must be done. I am confident that, by working together we will meet our target.

I congratulate the entire ASAP team on their efforts to date and I invite all Ontarians to join us in the fight for cleaner air.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Dan Newman

Minister

Executive summary
Cleaner air is everybody's business

On March 1, 1999, Ontario's Anti-Smog Action Plan Secretariat forwarded a questionnaire to the Anti-Smog Accord signatories and members of the Anti-Smog Action Plan Operating Committee and work groups, requesting information on recent activities relating to reductions in emissions of smog precursor compounds and particulate matter into air.

This Anti-Smog Action Plan Progress Report summarizes the results from the questionnaire and describes additional activities since the Plan was released in January, 1998. It profiles Ontario industry sectors and companies and government and non-government agencies that have reported on reductions or activities related to reductions in the release of smog-producing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Progress has been demonstrated through the exchange of information and ideas for best management practices and techniques, and installation and application of these practices by certain ASAP partners and Anti-Smog Accord signatories. This report describes reductions in NOx, VOCs and particulate matter (PM) occuring in Ontario.

As of March 31, 1999, 33 work groups reported progress: 18 groups confirmed 1990 sector baseline emissions; 22 identified "quick start" actions to achieve reductions in the short term; 12 developed plans for additional reductions; nine reported measured reductions and three are developing new reduction plans. All work groups developed customized approaches to smog reduction.

The report also outlines the recommendation made to the government and the Operating Committee by an independent scientific panel on how to build Ontario's knowledge, science and technologies toward a better understanding and effective reduction of smog precursors and particulate matter.

The report highlights meaningful progress; however, it is not a comprehensive summation of all sector activities at time of publication.

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