Canada: Environmental Commissioner Report

Last week, Canada's Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development made his fall report to Parliament. The report contained four chapters, the second of which was devoted to an examination of Canada's toxic substances regulatory regime. The link to the chapter can be found here. The chapter was based on an audit of seven substances on the Canadian Toxic Substances List (lead, mercury, DEHP, PCBs, dioxins and furans, dichloromethane, and PBDEs) and involved an audit of how Environment Canada and Health Canada have managed the risks associated with these substances. Among the conclusions and recommendations from the Commissioner are: (a) the need for comprehensive risk management strategies for mercury and lead; and (b) concern about lack of cautionary labelling re: chronic (as opposed to acute) risks associated with consumer products.