Environment Minister Terry Lake will share B.C.'s leading-edge policies on extended producer responsibility, air-quality management and climate action at this year's meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) in Lake Louise on Oct. 11.

Of special interest to B.C. is a proposed national system for air-quality management. British Columbia is known for its approach to airshed planning, and has been integral in using its experience in reducing toxic air pollutants to help develop a national system.

B.C. is also recognized as a national leader in extended producer responsibility (EPR), recently receiving an A- from EPR Canada, a non-partisan association, for provincial leadership in this field.

B.C. will also update progress to date on reducing greenhouse gases. Provincewide GHG's fell 4.5 per cent from 2007 to 2010 while at the same time, B.C.'s GDP growth outpaced the Canadian average, demonstrating that a strong carbon-pricing policy that is revenue neutral can coexist with a growing economy.

As part of the meetings, Lake will have also have a discussion with federal Environment Minister Peter Kent about ongoing proactive planning and co-ordination around management of tsunami debris.

In addition, Lake and Kent will discuss the new federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) 2012 and the importance of eliminating overlap and duplication in environmental assessment. B.C. has requested that the federal government confirm that the provincial environmental assessment legislation and process meet the requirements for substitution and equivalency under CEAA 2012. This will mean that the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office can conduct environmental assessments in B.C. on behalf of the federal government.

Quotes:

Terry Lake, Minister of Environment -

"This meeting represents a great opportunity to talk to my counterparts from across Canada and highlight B.C.'s accomplishments in areas such as recycling and reducing greenhouse gases."

"My hope is to see collective action going forward from provinces, territories, and the federal government that will ultimately result in less waste going into landfills and better air quality for British Columbians and Canadians.

Learn More:

BC Newsroom - Ministry of Environment:

http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/environment-1

Making Progress and Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report can be found at:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cas/2012-update.html

Contact:

Ministry of Environment Communications
250 387-9630