Minister's response to concerns raised by A. Holmberg

Apr 30 2008

A. Holmberg
22 Speyside Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3R 2P1

Dear A. Holmberg:

This letter is in response to your January 23 notice of objection, regarding the Regulations Amending the Gasoline Regulations that were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 22, 2007.

Section 332 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 states that any person may file a notice of objection requesting that a board of review be established. Although your notice of objection did not state that you are requesting the establishment of a board of review, I have carefully considered the issues in your letter in deciding whether one should be established.

The purpose of a board of review is to inquire into the nature and extent of the danger posed by the substance in respect of which the decision is made. As your letter has not provided any new information with respect to the nature and extent of the danger posed by leaded gasoline that would warrant a board of review, a board of review will not be established.

However, the exemption for competition vehicles under the Gasoline Regulations has been extended until January 1, 2010. This extension will provide the time needed for the Government of Canada to conduct new studies regarding the health risks associated with the use of leaded gasoline in competition vehicles, as lead sampling at race tracks has not been conducted since 1997.

Sincerely,

John Baird, P.C., M.P.