The New CEPA

摘要

With Bill C-32, Canada's feder-al government nears the end of the long and controversial process of substantially amending its Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). It's the government's second attempt, the first having died with the last election. The bill—as presented to the House of Commons last April for first and second reading—appeared to balance competing business and environmental protection interests. After second reading, it went to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (currently chaired by Charles Caccia). It's rumored that Environment Minister Christine Stewart and various Liberal committee members heavily debated and sorted out disagreements over committee changes behind the scenes. In the bill reported back to Parliament, many points raised by the environmental lobby were added. Despite controversy, many of these points remain in Bill C-32 as it was amended, passed by the House, and is currently (at press time) in the Senate. The legislation is expected to pass either very shortly or following the summer recess.