The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) is the primary minister-led intergovernmental forum for collective action on environmental issues of national and international concern. In 2012 ministers agreed to take further action to protect the health of Canadians and the environment with measures to improve air quality in Canada through the implementation of the Air Quality Management System (AQMS). CCME’s Air Management Committee (AMC) is supporting jurisdictions’ implementation of AQMS.
One of the key elements of AQMS is Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) which serve as the driver for air quality management across the country to protect the health and the environment of Canadians. CAAQS, which consist of numerical values, statistical forms, averaging times, and achievement dates; have been established for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and (ground-level) ozone in 2013. Air Management Committee will review the CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone and will develop CAAQS for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during the coming months.
Recognizing the importance and the benefits of engaging stakeholders in the development and review of CAAQS, AMC is establishing a multi-stakeholder CAAQS Development and Review Working Group (CDRWG) to obtain advice and recommendations. These terms of reference describe the mandate and role, membership, operation, deliverables, and timeline of this working group.
Mandate and Role:
CDRWG provides advice and recommendations to AMC on: - the proposed CAAQS and supporting documents for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for 2020 and 2025, - the existing CAAQS and supporting documents for PM2.5 and ozone for 2020 and the proposed standards for these pollutants for 2025.
In formulating recommendations on the CAAQS for selected air pollutants, CDRWG will:
- Consider different datasets and background documents for the air pollutants related to the health and the environmental impacts; existing air quality standards, objectives, and guidelines; current status, historical, and projectedlevels for ambient air quality concentrations and emissions; and the relevant science.
- Review and provide advice on draft supporting documents such as guidance on achievement determination for the CAAQS.
- Provide input on how to integrate management of new CAAQS into AQMS, with consideration of potential management levels.
- Complement the information-sharing by governments by keeping their sector(s) or, organization(s) informed on the development process.
- Represent, where possible, members’ sector, or organization and bring that collective perspective to discussions.
Membership:
CDRWG will be composed of up to five industry members, and up to five members representing environmental or health NGOs or Aboriginal organizations.
Operation:
CDRWG will be co-chaired by Health Canada and Ontario.
In making recommendations the working group will strive for consensus, as defined by CCME, though it is not a requirement that consensus is always reached. A lack of consensus should not prevent progress towards providing final recommendations.
Secretariat:
Secretariat support functions will be provided by CCME.
Deliverables:
The working group will deliver two reports to AMC, which will include recommendations regarding:
- the numerical values, statistical forms, and averaging times for the CAAQS for SO2 and NO2 for 2020 and 2025;
- the numerical values, statistical forms, and averaging times for the CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone for 2020 and 2025.
The working group will also provide advice and recommendations on the content of the supporting documents for the CAAQS for SO2 and NO2, and for the CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone
Timeline
The CDRWG mandate and membership expires after the working group has provided final advice on the CAAQS for SO2 and NO2 for 2020 and 2025, and final advice on the review of CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone for 2020 and 2025.
CDRWG will meet in person or hold teleconferences and webinars (two to four times per year) to fulfil its mandate.
For non-governmental and Aboriginal organizations, travel expenses will be reimbursed according to CCME guidelines.
| Criteria | Score |
| TOTAL | 100 |
| Have a good understanding of the AQMS work undertaken to date and the objectives of AQMS | 15 |
| Have a good understanding of air quality management issues in Canada, particularly as they relate to ambient levels of SO2, NO2, particulate matter and ozone | 15 |
| Have an understanding of the role of Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) in achieving the goal of protecting the health of Canadians and the environment | 20 |
| Have the ability to participate constructively in dialogue with other stakeholders and with government representatives | 10 |
| Have the ability to contribute perspectives on behalf of their member sector(s) and organization(s) | 10 |
| Have the personal commitment to fulfill the responsibilities of this consultation process, including being available to participate in meetings, teleconferences, and webinars | 10 |
| Be committed to bringing the outcomes of meetings back to respective constituencies | 10 |
| Have a willingness and capacity to engage both Canada-wide and regional perspectives that will bring forward constructive solutions and drive collaboration | 10 |
To make a nomination, please send a letter describing how the nominee meets the selection criteria to [email protected]. Nominations will be accepted until November 4, 2014 at 12:00 noon. CDT.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 CDRWG ToR and nomination criteria | 17.02 KB |
| CCME reimbursement policy | 27.27 KB |