9. Government operations, federal and Aboriginal land

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) provides the authority to regulate federal departments, boards, agencies of the Government of Canada, federal, works and undertakings, federal land, Aboriginal land, and other persons in so far as their activities involved with that land, and Crown corporations. These entities are commonly referred to as the "federal house". It also requires the Minister to establish objectives, guidelines, and codes of practice for the purpose of carrying out the Minister's duties and function under this Part related to the quality of the environment.

Co-chaired by Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada, the Federal Committee on Environmental Management Systems provides an interdepartmental forum for discussing and coordinating crosscutting issues related to environmental management systems. The Committee promotes sustainable development within government by providing ongoing advice as it relates to setting priorities and strategic directions for greening government.

The Committee meets twice a year and includes a number of active subcommittees and working groups on issues such as storage tanks, contaminated sites and environmental emergencies. Topics explored in 2001-02 include the Federal Halocarbon Regulations, pesticide use guidelines, and storage tanks. At its November 2001 meeting, members agreed to create a working group to look at the future of the Committee. This group will review the Committee's mandate and objectives, and explore how its initiatives complement other interdepartmental committees on government operations. The review will also include an examination of all subcommittees and working groups.

In 2001-02, three regulations were being developed under the authority of Part 9 of CEPA 1999:

• Federal Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Storage Tank Systems Regulations - The proposed regulations will replace the existing Registration of Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products on Federal Lands and Aboriginal Lands Regulations and will provide a more comprehensive framework to effectively prevent soil and groundwater contamination from storage tank systems. In 2001-02, efforts concentrated on resolving technical requirements within the legal framework of CEPA 1999 and determining an appropriate level of consultation within the regulated communities, particularly the Aboriginal community. The draft regulations are expected to be published in 2003.
• Federal Hazardous Waste Regulations - Public consultations were completed on March 15, 2002 on proposed drafting instructions for the Federal Hazardous Waste Regulations. These regulations will address the processing, handling, storing, recycling, or disposal of hazardous waste by federal institutions, such as federal departments, Crown corporations, and persons on federal and Aboriginal lands.
• Federal Halocarbon Regulations - The Federal Halocarbon Regulations are being amended. The development worked started in 2001 and regulations are planned to be in place for the early part of 2003. The amendments incorporate Environment Canada's commitments under the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment National Action Plan on Ozone Depleting Substances and their Halocarbon Alternatives. Key elements include the establishment of in-use phase-out dates for chlorofluorocarbons and halons. Consultations for the amendments were completed in March 2002.