NEW REPORT:
Enviro Enforcement: New Low
Canadians shortchanged by feds
Friends of the Earth
February 22, 2000
| "Citizens who care about their kids and communities should be shocked
and worried" |
New chemical products and toxic waste get a free ride under Canada's
enforcement of pollution laws, Friends of the Earth (FOE) reports
today.
With the low levels of enforcement committed in 1999-2000, exporters
or importers of hazardous wastes could expect to see environmental
inspectors once every 16 years, storage sites for PCB waste, once
every 20 years and industries proposing to commercially use new
chemicals, biotech or genetically-engineered products, once every 55
years.
"Citizens who care about their kids and communities should be shocked
and worried," says Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth
Canada. "There are just eight full-time people assigned to inspect
Canadaís 5,995 businesses, individuals and others working with these
new substances or hazardous wastes. We find it beyond belief that
this level of enforcement would motivate anyone to comply with
pollution laws. "
|
| "There are just eight full-time people assigned to inspect Canada's 5,995 businesses...(working with) hazardous wastes." |
Friends of the Earth is calling on Parliament to launch new hearings
to decide how to protect Canadians and their families. Unless
Canadians know there is a clear and strong re-commitment to enforce
Canada's pollution laws, any voluntary agreements to deal with
pollution will be considered a farce, says Ms. Olivastri.
Friends of the Earth released their first report in a three volume
series investigating the role of the federal government in delivering
primary environmental care.
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Contact:
Beatrice Olivastri, Kathleen Kelso
CEO, Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth
(Office) 613-241-0085, ext. 26, 613-241-0085, ext. 0
(Cellular) 613-724-8690
e-mail: kkelso@magma.ca
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